What is a computer programmer doing writing poetry? Having fun. I hope you enjoy reading these verses as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

For decades now tattoos have been potent symbols of the Los Angeles gang-life scene. The black and white tattoos with recognizable gang symbols appear on members' faces, necks and all over their bodies, making their gang affiliation immediately clear to whomever crosses their path. This can mean the difference between life and death on he streets, and just as often, in prison. What does this prominently placed imagery mean for those men and women who somehow extricate themselves from gang life or are released from prison or want to separate themselves from the gang and start life anew? The very tattoos which may have helped guard against the constant threat of rival gangs now bar many ex-gang members from employment, life without harassment, and the freedom to move on from a past they have worked hard to overcome. Skin Deep is a photography project that seeks to show the effects of this ongoing gang conflict in Los Angeles. Photographer Steven Burton set out to photograph realistic portraits of former gang members who are trying to escape the revolving door of death and prison. For these men and women, the aftermath of gang life is not only carried within--it is also scrawled across their faces and bodies. Skin Deep uniquely highlights the impact tattoos have on the way a person is perceived by showing what each participant might look like without them. Utilizing before and, thanks to the advantages of Photoshop, after photographs, these men and women got a chance to see what they'd look like without the inked visual armor. After the bare images were presented to each, they were asked to talk about themselves and their families, what tattoos represent to them, and their aspirations for the future. Seeing themselves without tattoos--many for the first time in decades--naturally brought about a wide range of emotions, recollections, hopes, and dreams, with responses such as: "I am shocked. I don't know what to say about this. I am going to give this to my mom, she is going to be so happy." "I think this guy in the pictures would judge the one with tattoos right off the top." "That's crazy, that looks real crazy. Those came out cool man! I think I like it better without the tattoos." Burton met his subjects thanks to Father Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in LA, and the entire project is inspired by his tireless work to help rehabilitate these former gang members and give them all a crucial second chance in life. Skin Deep offers a chance to expose the realities these individuals face when trying to rebuild their lives and re-enter society. As importantly, for the public, the project provokes consideration regarding how society perceives and judges people with tattoos and violent pasts and seeks to garner empathy for those caught in the crosshairs of gang life as they try to change their futures.

How can we find our true self? How can we create the life that we want to live? How can we get rid of the ego Mind which keeps us stuck? How can we overcome our fears and our limited beliefs? These are most common questions today, and the Author explains to us in simple terms based on his own experiences how to change the way we see ourselves and who we really are. And by changing that view of ourselves the view at the world around us will also change and we will be able to see our life through the eyes of possibilities not problems, through the eyes of happiness not worries, through the eyes of love not fear, through the eyes of GOD not EGO, through the eyes of ONENESS.

The idea of a joint ESO / Australia meeting on the large number of exciting new facilities that are, or will soon be, available tihne southern hemisphere arose quite naturally. In the optical and the near-infrared, the Very Large Telescope (VLT) will soon be operational. In the radio, the Australia Telescope Com pact Array is going to be upgraded to higher frequencies (20 and 100 GHz), together with an improvement in very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) facil ities. Other major facilities, such as the Large Millimetre Array and the lkT are being planned. Moreover, new deep surveys are underway in the southern hemi sphere: the southern Hubble Deep Field, the ESO Imaging Survey (BIS), pan oramic deep surveys with the UK Schmidt telescope, and the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) 2dF galaxy/QSO redshift survey in the optical; and the Parkes multibeam HI survey and Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST) Wide Field continuum survey at radio wavelengths. With all these new facilities, important progress will be made regarding important issues such as the large scale structure of the universe, the very early universe and the associated first epoch of galaxy formation. The generation of large databases, and the oppor tunity for sensitive follow-up observations in complementary wavebands, mean that coordinated radio, infrared and optical projects in the southern hemisphere are likely to become increasingly attractive and important.

In Southern Gems, Stephen James O'Meara makes a detour beneath the southern skies, presenting a fresh list of 120 deep-sky objects for southern hemisphere stargazers to observe. Showcasing many exceptional objects catalogued by the pioneering observer James Dunlop, known as the 'Messier of the southern skies', all are visible through small- to moderate-sized telescopes or binoculars under dark skies. The list features some of the blackest dark nebulae, icy blue planetary nebulae, and magnificent galaxies of all types. Each object is accompanied by beautiful photographs and sketches, original finder charts, visual histories, and up-to-date astrophysical background information. Whether you live in the southern hemisphere or are just visiting, this new Deep-Sky Companion will make a perfect observing partner, whatever your background. There is no other southern sky guide like it on the market.

The New York Times beauty writer gets the world’s most photographed people to share their intimate rituals in “the utmost authority on all things beauty” (Bobbi Brown). Skin Deep explores the surprising role that beauty plays in the lives of everyone from ballet dancers to musicians, models to powerful entrepreneurs. Beauty writer Bee Shapiro reveals the secrets of more than forty beauty icons, including their daily skin care regimens, opinions on makeup, hair care, diet and exercise, and the way beauty has evolved for each person over the course of his or her life. You’ll learn how Kylie Jenner gets Instagram-ready; the preferred face mask of supermodel Natalia Vodianova; what beauty staples Olympian Allyson Felix uses off the track; and exactly what makes Martha Stewart’s skin-care regimen cost $2,000. Including ten new subjects, alongside favorites like Gwyneth Paltrow, Priyanka Chopra, and Anna Kendrick, plus sidebars and photography, Skin Deep takes an intriguing look at contemporary beauty, not only through entertaining celebrity interviews, but with in-depth guidance from experts like Christophe Robin and Patrick Ta.

Newest Book from Judge Mablean.

The Caldwell Catalogue, compiled by the late Sir Patrick Moore (1923–2012), has delighted amateur astronomers worldwide since its publication in 1995. Twenty years on, Stephen James O'Meara revisits his guide to these 109 deep-sky delights, breathing new life into them and the 20 additional observing targets included as an appendix. This second edition retains O'Meara's detailed visual descriptions and sketches, accompanied by stunning new images taken by amateur photographer Mario Motta and observations by Magda Streicher. The astrophysical descriptions have been updated to account for the many advances in our understanding of the objects, not least due to an armada of space-borne observatories and the new technologies used in large ground-based telescopes. Ideal for observers who have completed the Messier objects and are looking for their next challenge, Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects is a fitting tribute from a renowned visual observer to one of astronomy's most famous personalities.

This book helps hypnotherapists to focus on the subject of regrets and associated emotions when working with clients. Promoting the concept of “the road of regrets”, this book presents a five-stage process for the hypnotherapist to work through with clients (adults and children aged 5+). The process involves identifying and acknowledging regrets; working through the regrets and associated emotions; taking any necessary action before releasing the regrets and emotions; and finally moving on to plan for the future. The book contains over 60 customisable scripts, guidance notes and appendices to promote ideas for practice. The scripts offer a variety of methodology to choose from: regression (including past lives); metaphors (Ericksonian); benefits approach; Gestalt therapy and solution-focused. The appendices include practical resources such as questionnaires, checklists, summaries, forms, and worksheets for exercises which the hypnotherapist can utilise in sessions (individual or group). This practical volume will be of use to student hypnotherapists, trainers and training schools, supervisors, newly qualified and experienced hypnotherapists. Although the main focus of the book is regrets and associated emotions, the book can be used for an abundance of other concerns e.g. lack of confidence or self-esteem; fears; anxiety and panic attacks.