Wednesday
Living in Three Centuries
THE FACE OF AGE
The photographs for this portrait series were taken in various locations around the world between 1987 and 2005.
The Gerontology Research Group estimates there are 250,000 centenarians (people 100 years and older) currently living in the world. In rare instances, people live to 110 years and beyond, inspiring a new demographic label: supercentenarian. The Gerontology Research Group, through rigorous investigation of records, acknowledges about 65 supercentenarians, and estimates that about 350 are alive worldwide today.
The idea to photograph people who have lived in three centuries evolved over the course of the project. First, I was simply interested in taking portraits of people who appear worn beyond their years by living extraordinarily hard lives. Those experiences drew me to centenarians, and on to supercentenarians and their stories.
People consistently ask the same questions when viewing the portraits: How does a person live to be 114 years old? What do these long-lived people have in common that makes many of them look younger than people in their 90s, 80s and even 70s? The notes on aging is a short review of the current research on longevity.
The experience of talking with a 110 year-old man whose father stood next to Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address does not easily lend itself to words. A photograph seemed appropriate.
— Mark Story, September, 2005
The photographs for this portrait series were taken in various locations around the world between 1987 and 2005.
The Gerontology Research Group estimates there are 250,000 centenarians (people 100 years and older) currently living in the world. In rare instances, people live to 110 years and beyond, inspiring a new demographic label: supercentenarian. The Gerontology Research Group, through rigorous investigation of records, acknowledges about 65 supercentenarians, and estimates that about 350 are alive worldwide today.
The idea to photograph people who have lived in three centuries evolved over the course of the project. First, I was simply interested in taking portraits of people who appear worn beyond their years by living extraordinarily hard lives. Those experiences drew me to centenarians, and on to supercentenarians and their stories.
People consistently ask the same questions when viewing the portraits: How does a person live to be 114 years old? What do these long-lived people have in common that makes many of them look younger than people in their 90s, 80s and even 70s? The notes on aging is a short review of the current research on longevity.
The experience of talking with a 110 year-old man whose father stood next to Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address does not easily lend itself to words. A photograph seemed appropriate.
— Mark Story, September, 2005
- Posted by Irving M
Tuesday
The Seven Swords (of Mount Heaven)
The Heaven's Fall
Wu Yuanying's sword, this sword is an elemental sword of water. When using the sword, the handle has holes like a wind-pipe instrument that responds to the control of the handle. This gives Wu Yuanying the ability to change the direction of the sword from one end to the next on battle. Because this sword responds to water, this sword is most deadly when wet. Energy can be focused into the sword and then use the water droplets as weapons and even projectiles. It's full potential wasn't fully realized until near the end of the episode.
The Dragon
It's considered the strongest weapon amongst the seven. Its construction is unique because it has a special steel ball inside that reacts while in combat. While moving the sword the ball inside the hilt chamber makes vibrations and sounds that can confuse the enemy's ears and strike fear in other warriors hearing its distinct whistle. Dokatdo figured the sword's weakness and used it against Chu Zhaonan. The sword's vibrations can be noticed by human ears and if carefully listening onto the sounds you can figure out the movements of the sword and predict Chu Zhaonan's attack. The sword itself reacts violently against the Transience and repels the energy that emits from Transience. Should the swords successfully strike at each other, both swords will be magnetically locked down to each other as a way to neutralize each others power.
The Deity
This sword was one of the first swords created by Master Shadow-Glow. The sword itself is thick and heavy for strength and power. The sword never saw combat, only used to help mine the cave of Tian-Shan. Master Shadow-Glow saw through the personality of Han Zhibang and granted him "The Deity". Through Han Zhibang "The Deity" has went through a lot of battle. The raw energy that the sword emits chi waves that can destroy light objects at a distance. When properly wielded by Han Zhibang, the sword can emit devastating energy that can destroy waves of soldiers. The Deity is often paired up with The Celestial Beam in combat.
The Unlearnt
The sword itself doesn't have any real special abilities; however, it's also the weapon that has the least blood on it. Fu Qingzhu once used this sword to kill many people. After it was reborn in Tian Shan, Fu Qingzhu refused to use any murderous force with this sword so he kept it inside its scabbard the entire time. Fu Qingzhu often uses his chi to channel energy into the sword like the rest of the warriors, but with the sword still locked inside so that he would only neutralize his opponents. In the final battle to kill Dokatdo, Fu Qingzhu finally unleashed his sword and used it to kill a powerful warrior that served under Dokatdo. In the aftermath the sword and Fu Qingzhu left to find the whereabouts to reunited the seven swords again. In the movie version Unlearnt already drew blood as Fu Qingzhu used it to cut off the arm of Fire-Wind's henchmen as a message.
The Star-Chasers
The Star-Chasers are the smallest pair of blades, but with interesting properties. There are differences between the movie version and the TV series. In the TV series the bottom contains a metal ball that can strangely bond when the wielder becomes enraged. When that happens the swords bottom tip will bond and a rope will extend forth from the pair swords. This feature allows Xin Longzi to attack at greater distances and allow him to force his attacks to back off at a safer distance. When bonded Xin Longzi must be in calm state of control or the weapon can strike back. In the movie there was no bonding with the weapon because it was done to make it more realistic. The movie version showed the sword can be extended by flinging hard on the weapon. The hilt and handle will remain with the wielder, while the blade part can extend to strike at more than five feet. When facing the pair within their radius of attack the pair can cut down anyone with swift speed.
The Transience
The sword was created out of a meteorite and because of that has unique properties. It's roughly made compared to the other fine smooth surfaces of the other six swords, but its lack of beauty doesn't negate its powers. The sword's composition gives it an unusual ability of magnetism and light emission. When Yang Yuncong uses his sword, powerful magnetic energy is emitted as well as light to blind and confuse the attackers. Dokatdo took notice of the sword while witnessing a battle between Yang Yuncong and Chu Zhaonan. Yang Yuncong's master believed Chu Zhaonan may stray from the righteous path and this sword is the dragon's opposite and both swords have greater violent reactions in combat or training. Yang Yuncong in the final events against Dokatdo lost the sword while suffering from severe injuries and Dokatdo took Transience to fight against Chu Zhaonan. In the end Chu Zhaonan retrieved the sword and returned it to Yang Yuncong, but it was already too late cause Yang Yuncong died from extensive injuries against Dokatdo's master. In the movie the sword's magnetic abilities were proven so strong that it can tear out thin sheets of metal while in combat.
The Celestial Beam
The sword is actually a pair of swords that's taken the form of one. When properly used, Celestial Beam's true powers shine in battle. The movie version is made to be more realistic, so the movie version of the sword was larger and longer without special effects. Both versions can split the blades into two swords, but the movie version simply detaches into a second blade. The TV version requires higher wielding skills to bring out it's "invisible" counterpart. The TV version's Celestial Beam is smaller and is about the size of a long sword, while the other sword is about the size of a Tai Chi sword. When the smaller version release itself into battle, the sword can fly around almost as if flying like boomerang with the other sword guiding it's direction. Because the other sword can be treated as a projectile, the smaller counterpart can be used almost like a flying kunai. Though not considered to be the strongest sword, it's main advantage is range and power when combining with Deity.
Seven Swords of Mount Heaven (aka Seven Swordsmen) is a series based on the work of famous wuxia novelist Liang Yusheng.
Let's thank the WIKI for all the material above, which I just took from here. Also, check out the film, it's pretty sweet - to see the trailer, click here!
Tuesday
The Seven Swords (of Mount Heaven)
The Heaven's Fall
Wu Yuanying's sword, this sword is an elemental sword of water. When using the sword, the handle has holes like a wind-pipe instrument that responds to the control of the handle. This gives Wu Yuanying the ability to change the direction of the sword from one end to the next on battle. Because this sword responds to water, this sword is most deadly when wet. Energy can be focused into the sword and then use the water droplets as weapons and even projectiles. It's full potential wasn't fully realized until near the end of the episode.
The Dragon
It's considered the strongest weapon amongst the seven. Its construction is unique because it has a special steel ball inside that reacts while in combat. While moving the sword the ball inside the hilt chamber makes vibrations and sounds that can confuse the enemy's ears and strike fear in other warriors hearing its distinct whistle. Dokatdo figured the sword's weakness and used it against Chu Zhaonan. The sword's vibrations can be noticed by human ears and if carefully listening onto the sounds you can figure out the movements of the sword and predict Chu Zhaonan's attack. The sword itself reacts violently against the Transience and repels the energy that emits from Transience. Should the swords successfully strike at each other, both swords will be magnetically locked down to each other as a way to neutralize each others power.
The Deity
This sword was one of the first swords created by Master Shadow-Glow. The sword itself is thick and heavy for strength and power. The sword never saw combat, only used to help mine the cave of Tian-Shan. Master Shadow-Glow saw through the personality of Han Zhibang and granted him "The Deity". Through Han Zhibang "The Deity" has went through a lot of battle. The raw energy that the sword emits chi waves that can destroy light objects at a distance. When properly wielded by Han Zhibang, the sword can emit devastating energy that can destroy waves of soldiers. The Deity is often paired up with The Celestial Beam in combat.
The Unlearnt
The sword itself doesn't have any real special abilities; however, it's also the weapon that has the least blood on it. Fu Qingzhu once used this sword to kill many people. After it was reborn in Tian Shan, Fu Qingzhu refused to use any murderous force with this sword so he kept it inside its scabbard the entire time. Fu Qingzhu often uses his chi to channel energy into the sword like the rest of the warriors, but with the sword still locked inside so that he would only neutralize his opponents. In the final battle to kill Dokatdo, Fu Qingzhu finally unleashed his sword and used it to kill a powerful warrior that served under Dokatdo. In the aftermath the sword and Fu Qingzhu left to find the whereabouts to reunited the seven swords again. In the movie version Unlearnt already drew blood as Fu Qingzhu used it to cut off the arm of Fire-Wind's henchmen as a message.
The Star-Chasers
The Star-Chasers are the smallest pair of blades, but with interesting properties. There are differences between the movie version and the TV series. In the TV series the bottom contains a metal ball that can strangely bond when the wielder becomes enraged. When that happens the swords bottom tip will bond and a rope will extend forth from the pair swords. This feature allows Xin Longzi to attack at greater distances and allow him to force his attacks to back off at a safer distance. When bonded Xin Longzi must be in calm state of control or the weapon can strike back. In the movie there was no bonding with the weapon because it was done to make it more realistic. The movie version showed the sword can be extended by flinging hard on the weapon. The hilt and handle will remain with the wielder, while the blade part can extend to strike at more than five feet. When facing the pair within their radius of attack the pair can cut down anyone with swift speed.
The Transience
The sword was created out of a meteorite and because of that has unique properties. It's roughly made compared to the other fine smooth surfaces of the other six swords, but its lack of beauty doesn't negate its powers. The sword's composition gives it an unusual ability of magnetism and light emission. When Yang Yuncong uses his sword, powerful magnetic energy is emitted as well as light to blind and confuse the attackers. Dokatdo took notice of the sword while witnessing a battle between Yang Yuncong and Chu Zhaonan. Yang Yuncong's master believed Chu Zhaonan may stray from the righteous path and this sword is the dragon's opposite and both swords have greater violent reactions in combat or training. Yang Yuncong in the final events against Dokatdo lost the sword while suffering from severe injuries and Dokatdo took Transience to fight against Chu Zhaonan. In the end Chu Zhaonan retrieved the sword and returned it to Yang Yuncong, but it was already too late cause Yang Yuncong died from extensive injuries against Dokatdo's master. In the movie the sword's magnetic abilities were proven so strong that it can tear out thin sheets of metal while in combat.
The Celestial Beam
The sword is actually a pair of swords that's taken the form of one. When properly used, Celestial Beam's true powers shine in battle. The movie version is made to be more realistic, so the movie version of the sword was larger and longer without special effects. Both versions can split the blades into two swords, but the movie version simply detaches into a second blade. The TV version requires higher wielding skills to bring out it's "invisible" counterpart. The TV version's Celestial Beam is smaller and is about the size of a long sword, while the other sword is about the size of a Tai Chi sword. When the smaller version release itself into battle, the sword can fly around almost as if flying like boomerang with the other sword guiding it's direction. Because the other sword can be treated as a projectile, the smaller counterpart can be used almost like a flying kunai. Though not considered to be the strongest sword, it's main advantage is range and power when combining with Deity.
Seven Swords of Mount Heaven (aka Seven Swordsmen) is a series based on the work of famous wuxia novelist Liang Yusheng.
Let's thank the WIKI for all the material above, which I just took from here. Also, check out the film, it's pretty sweet - to see the trailer, click here!
