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Jun 24, 2009 To Boldly Go Where No Dream Has Gone Before Current mood:creative Date occurred: Too many years ago to remember but I might have written it down somewhere. Date recorded: June 24, 2009 Story Title: To Boldly Go Where No Dream Has Gone Before Fandom or Universe: Star Trek TOS Genre: Dream Rating: G Safe for work? Yes Characters or Pairing(s): Convention goers Potential Triggers: None Notes and/or Warnings: None  POV: Mine Disclaimer: Every once in a while a dream from long ago resurfaces for my mental entertainment than disappears like a snowflake hitting a warm gust of wind. These are my dreams and they are in no semblance of order, reason or rhyme. If it happens, that is merely coincidence.  Tags: Star Trek, conventions, costuming, abandoned places, exploration and adventure, disjointed thoughts, layers of memory, dreamscape. Summery: Me...Her? Dressed as TOS Crewmember, short blue uniform, black boots & hose. Dark brown hair done up and piled on the head. Lt. Sandra Joe Lundstrum. USS Enterprise NCC-1701. I'm fighting hard to write SHE instead of I. We'll see how this goes. And yes, I switch between tenses because that's how dreams go. THE STORY: The convention was a primitive one held at the dawn of convention-going before they ever became organized. The location was a huge abandoned warehouse complex decorated with the bright mid-morning sunlight. The air was not overly warm, yet it was surprisingly clean of pollution as if a wind had blown the stink far away where it would dissipate into nothingness. The neighborhood was quiet, almost peaceful... empty of life except for the occasional passing car or emergency vehicle siren some blocks away, or birdsong... or a dog barking in the distance... all out of line of sight. A car was parked outside the warehouse, but whether it, too, had been abandoned or not was uncertain. Then again, probably not. There wasn't much dirt on it in the first place. She walked across the empty expanse of concrete and asphalt towards the door with a sign on it. The door where the car was parked. Looking at the building, the walls of the first floor had few windows, but they were intact. Unlike those smaller ones that made up the second level. From halfway up the upper story was all glass and frame, some of those small windows were either open to let what little breeze flow through as it willed, or were deliberately broken by persons unknown in a timeframe unknown. A man in his late 20's came forward from the vehicle he was standing beside (he wasn't there a moment ago) and reached to open the door for her. He knew why she was there and it was his job to be accommodating. Dark, hair, jeans, t shirt and leather jacket... then he was gone as she entered the building. The door, of its own mysteriously normal accord, whispered closed behind her. The inside of the building was a sharp contrast to the abandoned exterior. White painted walls, dividers, tiled and carpeted floors, hidden lighting, softly playing... music? Sound effects? The white noise buzz of many conversations, the inanimate hum of the very place itself. People dressed in a riot of colorful outfits milled about, standing around conversing, moving from one event to another, or sitting and enjoying a repast of some sort... Masks or real life aliens? Costumes or clothing? It was hard to tell, for what IS a costume, really, but clothing you wear for specific occasions... like work... church... swimming... sports... leisure... so many colorful costumes that people take for normal every day wear... taken for granted.... And yet something not in fashion is called a costume. Yet here it is perfectly normal... accepted as normal. That which is outside this place is not desirable, yet inside this place... home. You can feel it like humidity in Colorado. One moment it's not there, and then suddenly you can feel it... taste it... you welcome it with elation as it seeps into every aspect of your being. An event is about to start. She's been looking forward to this for so long and now the day has arrived. Taking a seat in the very center of the row near the front, yet not in the very front row, she sits, smoothing the short skirt of blue and looks at herself as she does so. Yes, she is presentable, and as a representative of her ship there could be no other way to look. The skirt, slit seductively... tastefully up one thigh, black translucent hose encasing slender legs, ending at the top of polished high black boots. Further up, the black-trimmed neckline dips just a bit lower over the left breast than the right, drawing ones eye to the star fleet insignia sewn just below. Trim and well build, the woman has a lovely figure, not too un-proportional, yet just right. Then there is the smell of pizza in the air and she wonders if she has time to pop out quickly to the stand outside the room for a slice of pepperoni and cheese to bring back to her seat. Yes, she'll chance it. The room's not filling up quickly. Not yet anyway. She has time...

Sweet Dreams of You: Joshua Collins (a Dark Shadows story) Current mood:creative (DISCLAIMER: This is re-posted from my Dark Shadows RPG page. I just though you'd like to read some of my work. Apologies if you've seen this before.) Joshua Collins gazed around the bedroom that was his and Naomi's, glass of brandy in hand. Ah dear Naomi. Long dead these past few years. All of his family dead truth be told. First his daughter, Sarah, than his brother Jeremiah, Naomi... no, Barnabas was next. THAN Naomi. Suicide it was. Losing Sarah to illness was one thing, but she just couldn't live with the thought that her son was... no best not to dwell on it. Abigail died at Barnabas' hands, too. So many others surrounding the Collins family. It was a surprise that he actually had an heir to carry on the family legacy anymore. Daniel was a fine young man now and he'd done wonders with the family business.Old Joshua Collins yawned. He didn't want to sleep. HE was there seated in the chair in the corner. A shadowy wraith cloaked in darkness waiting like a vulture does for it's prey to die so it could feast upon the carcass of it's victim. HE would not take Joshua so easily. He was a Collins after all.Finishing his drink - probably the last one he'd ever have - and reached to place it on the bedside table. A hand came out of the shadows and took the glass from his shaking unsteady hand and did the job for him. Death.Death had been his constant companion for these long weeks now since he'd taken to his bed. He slept more and more each day and in those periods of sleep, he dreamed of happier times.Dear Naomi. The room still smelled of her perfume after all these years... and the sherry she drank. Or maybe that was just his imagination. Funny how the mind could push most of the nightmares back into the dark corners of the mind and allow the bright ones to shine through. The portrait on the nightstand of her was a constant reminder that he had ever really loved anyone so deeply in his life. Yes, theirs was an arranged marriage, but there was a time when he loved her. He did you know. She was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen and they were most in love.He couldn't pinpoint exactly when it had happened... the distance that grew between them... or what had precipitated the event, but one day when he found her drinking herself blind and he felt his heart grow sadder. Cooler like the onset of winter. The last happy day of his life he could remember was when Sarah had taken her first steps... right into his outstretched arms.... "You are ever so stubborn, Joshua Collins," a woman's voice admonished."Who...? Who's there?" he demanded.The darkness parted and a vision in a yellow gown approached. Her dark hair worn down in the same manor as he remembered when they first met. She was stunningly beautiful. "Naomi?" "Who else would it be?""Oh, Naomi." Joshua gathered the woman to him and kissed her. It was as if he were a young man in his early 20's again. The kiss broke and he held her to him in a hug, never wanting to let her go. "I've missed you so, you know."She put a hand on his chest and leaned back, parting them just enough to look into his eyes. The eyes of a young, viral man again. "I know. And I've missed you, too.""Can you ever forgive me?""For what?"He gave a short, ironic laugh. "For... well for everything. I know I didn't make your life easy the last few years. I never realized how much I loved you..." he couldn't finish the thought."Until I was gone?" she finished.He nodded, unable to speak. "Yes. I can," she said.Overjoyed, he kissed her and surrendered himself to the moment.The shadow in the chair arose at the sound of a sigh and crossed the room to the bed. Warm practiced fingers checked for a pulse that no longer existed. The flesh was already starting to cool. The dark clad figure folded the old man's hands on his chest before turning to leave the room.In the hall outside the bedroom door a man in his mid 30's looked up, the question already etched o his face."He's gone," Dr. Marcus told him. Daniel sighed. "Did he say anything before he died?"Marcus nodded. "Just one word...Naomi."

Editing.

like john lennon the great beatle one sang imane there no heaven or hell no posseions no war i bet you kids couldn't survivie all the bs technolghy you all have, 

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Broken Hearts Mended                        No Appointment Necessary                        Repairs While You Wait                        Pre-paid By Jesus                                                Photo courtesy of Catholic Cards. Used by permission.                        Sister Patricia Proctor, OSC                                                                                  Our Heavenly Father is "The Great Physician."                                                     Healing isn't limited to physical illness but takes many forms. There is also mental and spiritual healing along with healing of personal relationships, financial healing and anything else that is unwell in your life. Like any earthly father God is concerned about every aspect of the lives of His children.Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Matthew 6:26 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.Matthew 10:30We are further admonished to pray for each other for it is in the sacrificial act of putting others needs ahead of our own in prayer that results in our own needs being met.Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.James 5:16God knows what each of us needs far better then even we do ourselves. But we, Gods children, do not know unless we are told. Therefore I have started this blog as a place to make your requests known so that we may pray for each other. Specifics may not be revealed if you feel them to be too personal because God knows the details. This blog is open. Privacy levels have been set to accept posts from friends and non friends alike. All are welcome to request prayer here or post a prayer in reply. Heavenly Father,I come to you today on behalf of all here who have needs. I ask that you cover each one with your love and build a hedge of protection around them. Reach down with your healing hand and restore each one to wholeness. Bind each illness and evil and restore all that has been taken away. Lead each one on the path you would have them follow. Fill each heart with peace. I ask this in faith, believing without doubt, in Jesus' name. AMEN!May all your needs be met.Love and Prayers,Cassie                                                                            Click here to Return to Directory

1. SARAH ANTHONY     Birthdate: 2/26/19822. LACEY STURM     Birthdate: 9/4/19813. JEN LEDGER     Birthdate: 12/8/19894. ELIZABETH OLSEN     Birthdate: 2/16/19895. ASHLEY GREENE     Birthdate: 2/21/19876. MARIA BRINK     Birthdate: 12/17/19777. NAOMI WATTS     Birthdate: 9/28/19688. MONICA BELLUCCI     Birthdate: 9/30/19649. ABBEY LEE KERSHAW     Birthdate: 6/12/198710. TERESA PALMER     Birthdate: 2/26/1986 11. JENNIFER CONNELLY     Birthdate: 12/12/197012. EVA GREEN     Birthdate: 7/5/1980 13. NOOMI RAPACE    Birthdate: 12/28/197914. ROONEY MARA     Birthdate: 4/17/198515. GAIL KIM     Birthdate: 2/20/197616. MIZUHO LIN17. LZZY HALE     Birthdate: 10/10/198418. ROSE BYRNE     Birthdate: 7/24/197919. NICOLE KIDMAN     Birthdate: 6/20/196720. SOPHIE MARCEAU     Birthdate: 11/17/196621. MARGOT ROBBIE     Birthdate: 7/2/199022. SASHA BANKS     Birthdate: 1/26/199223. PAIGE     Birthdate: 8/17/199224. ELODIE YUNG     Birthdate: 2/22/198125. HUDSON LEICK     Birthdate: 5/9/196926. MELINDA CLARKE     Birthdate: 4/24/196927. ALEXA BLISS     Birthdate: 8/9/199128. BECKY LYNCH     Birthdate: 1/30/198729. KATE BECKINSALE     Birthdate: 7/26/197330. SIMONE SIMONS     Birthdate: 1/17/198531. LORENZA IZZO     Birthdate: 9/26/198932. EIZA GONZALEZ     Birthdate: 1/30/199033. KO SHIBASAKI     Birthdate: 8/5/198134. BINGBING FAN     Birthdate: 9/16/198135. BINGBING LI     Birthdate: 2/27/197336. FAIRUZA BALK     Birthdate: 5/21/196437. LACEY CHABERT     Birthdate: 9/30/198238. ANYA TAYLOR-JOY     Birthdate: 4/16/199639. MYANNA BURING     Birthdate: 9/22/197940. KATIE CASSIDY     Birthdate: 11/25/198641. WILLA HOLLAND     Birthdate: 6/18/199142. RILEY VOELKEL     Birthdate: 4/26/199043. VANESSA HUDGENS     Birthdate: 12/14/198844. RACHEL HENDRIX     Birthdate: 9/1245. CAROLINA BANG     Birthdate: 9/21/198546. EMMA ANZAI     Birthdate: 4/30/198247. ORIANTHI PANAGARIS     Birthdate: 1/22/198548. MELINA PEREZ     Birthdate: 3/9/197949. MADISON RAYNE     Birthdate: 2/5/198650. VELVET SKY     Birthdate: 6/2/198151. ANGELINA LOVE     Birthdate: 9/13/198152. MICKIE JAMES     Birthdate: 8/31/197953. ASUKA     Birthdate: 9/26/198154. A.J. LEE     Birthdate: 3/19/198755. ALEXANDRA DADDARIO     Birthdate: 3/16/198656. ROSE MCIVER      Birthdate: 10/20/198857. LARA JEAN CHOROSTECKI     Birthdate: 10/24/198458. GRACE PHIPPS     Birthdate: 5/4/199259. SHAWNEE SMITH     Birthdate: 7/3/197060. SARAH BUTLER     Birthdate: 2/11/198561. JEMMA DALLENDER62. JOSEPHINE DE LA BAUME     Birthdate: 198463. NICKI LYNN AYCOX     Birthdate: 5/26/197564. JANET MONTGOMERY     Birthdate: 10/29/198565. OLIVIA TAYLOR DUDLEY     Birthdate: 11/4/198566. NADIA HILKER     Birthdate: 12/1/198867. BIANCA BRADEY68. SUMMER GLAU     Birthdate: 7/24/198169. KELLY BROOK     Birthdate: 11/23/197970. CANDICE DE VISSER     Birthdate: 11/20/198871. HEATHER SOSSAMAN     Birthdate: 4/21/198772. SHELLEY HENNIG    Birthdate: 1/2/198773. MEGHAN ORY     Birthdate: 8/20/198274. JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT     Birthdate: 2/21/197975. CHRISTINA RICCI     Birthdate: 2/12/198076. KELLY HU     Birthdate: 2/13/196877. ZHANG ZIYI     Birthdate: 2/9/197978. NATASSIA MALTHE     Birthdate: 1/19/197479. MAGGIE Q     Birthdate: 5/22/197980. KIRSTIE MALDONADO     Birthdate: 5/16/199281. CLAUDIA KIM     Birthdate: 1/25/198582. MICHELLE BRANCH     Birthdate: 7/2/198383. LEA SEYDOUX     Birthdate: 7/1/198584. CARLSON YOUNG     Birthdate: Birthdate: 10/29/199085. HALEY BENNETT     Birthdate: 1/7/198886. MAKENZIE VEGA     Birthdate: 2/10/199487. SOPHIE TURNER     Birthdate: 2/21/199688. JESSICA CHASTAIN     Birthdate: 3/24/197789. DEBORAH ANN WOLL     Birthdate: 2/7/198590. NAJARRA TOWNSEND     Birthdate: 12/5/198991. KSENIA SOLO     Birthdate: 10/8/198792. KATIE MCGRATH     Birthdate: 10/24/198393. EMMA ROBERTS     Birthdate: 2/10/199194. VICTORIA JUSTICE     Birthdate: 2/19/199395. AMBER HEARD     Birthdate: 4/22/198696. RACHEL NICHOLS     Birthdate: 1/8/198097. FREIDA PINTO     Birthdate: 10/18/198498. EMILIE DE RAVIN     Birthdate: 12/27/198199.  CASSIDY GIFFORD     Birthdate: 8/2/1993100. JANE LEVY     Birthdate: 12/29/1989101. GINA PHILIPS     Birthdate: 5/10/1970102. ASHLEY C. WILLIAMS     Birthdate: 1/24/1984103. ASHLYNN YENNIE     Birthdate: 5/5/1985104. ANTJE TRAUE     Birthdate: 1/18/1981105. STEPHANIE SZOSTAK     Birthdate: 6/12/1975106. AMANDA CREW     Birthdate: 6/5/1986107. JACQUELINE MACINNES-WOOD     Birthdate: 4/17/1987108. MEAGHAN RATH     Birthdate: 6/18/1986109. GONG LI     Birthdate: 12/31/1965110. KEIRA KNIGHTLEY     Birthdate: 3/26/1985111. TRISH STRATUS     Birthdate: 12/18/1975112. CANDICE MICHELLE     Birthdate: 9/30/1978113. TAYA VALKYRIE     Birthdate: 10/22/1986114. C.J. PERRY     Birthdate: 3/24/1985115. TARYN TERRELL     Birthdate: 12/28/1985116. CARMELLA     Birthdate: 10/23/1987117. BRIE BELLA     Birthdate: 11/21/1983118. NIKKI BELLA     Birthdate: 11/21/1983119. LACEY VON ERICH     Birthdate: 7/17/1986120. 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TITLE     DIRECTOR     YEAR1. (Tie) THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING     Peter Jackson     2003     THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST     Mel Gibson     20042. JESUS OF NAZARETH     Franco Zeffirelli     19773. BEN-HUR: A TALE OF THE CHRIST     William Wyler     19594. BRAVEHEART     Mel Gibson     19955. KING KONG     Peter Jackson     20056. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS     Peter Jackson     20027. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING     Peter Jackson     20018. APOCALYPTO     Mel Gibson     20069. THE DESCENT    Neil Marshall     200510. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY     Peter Jackson     201211. ROCKY     John G. Avildsen     197612. ROCKY II     Sylvester Stallone     197913. ROCKY BALBOA     Sylvester Stallone     200614. JOHN RAMBO     Sylvester Stallone     200817. THE BOOK OF ELI     Albert and Allen Hughes     201018. FRAILTY     Bill Paxton     200219. SIGNS     M. Night Shyamalan     200220. PAN'S LABYRINTH     Guillermo Del Toro     200621. GLADIATOR     Ridley Scott     200022. MALENA     Giuseppe Tornatore     200023. THE BABADOOK     Jennifer Kent     201424. THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU     John Frankenheimer     199625. DISTRICT 9     Neill Blomkamp     200926. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES     Steve Barron     199027. THE CROW     Alex Proyas     199428. CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR     Anthony and Joe Russo     201629. SLEEPY HOLLOW     Tim Burton     199930. SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET     Tim Burton     200731. THE HILLS HAVE EYES     Alexandre Aja     200632. THE DEVIL'S REJECTS     Rob Zombie     200533. SAW III     Darren Lynn Bousman     200634. SAW VI     Kevin Greutert     200935. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN     Tomas Alfredson     200836. LET ME IN     Matt Reeves     201037. JEEPERS CREEPERS     Victor Salva     200179. EASTERN PROMISES     David Cronenberg     200780. A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE     David Cronenberg     200581. THE DROP     Michael R. Roskam     201482. PITCH BLACK     David Twohy     200083. DREDD     Pete Travis     201284. HARDCORE HENRY     Ilya Naishuller     201684. THE EQUALIZER     Antoine Fuqua     201485. THE HUNGER GAMES     Gary Ross     201286. THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2     Francis Lawrence     201587. BATTLE ROYALE     Kinji Fukasaku     200088. SCREAM     Wes Craven     199689. SCREAM 2     Wes Craven     1997

Birth Certificate shows that we were born A Death Certificate shows that we died Pictures show that we lived! Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly . I Believe... That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other. I Believe...That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. I Believe...That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. I Believe...That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. I Believe... That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life. I Believe...That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be. I Believe...That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. I Believe... That you can keep going long after you think you can't. I Believe...That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. I Believe...That either you control your attitude or it controls you I Believe...That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. I Believe...That money is a lousy way of keeping score. I Believe...That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time. I Believe...That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up. I Believe...That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.   I Believe...That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated. I Believe...That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself. I Believe...That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief. I Believe...That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become. I Believe...That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever. I Believe...Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. I Believe...That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. I Believe...That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help. I Believe...That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. I Believe...That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon. I Believe...That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in, I just did. "The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything."

These are my own attempts at making animated pictures, Please let me know what you think! Thank you!!!Picture #1: Star DistroyersPicture #2: Klingon ShipPicture #3: Borg cubePicture #4: Enterprise vs. Klingon ShipPicture #5: Whisper aka: CassiePicture #6: Voyager vs. the Borg!Picture #7: Me getting run over!Picture #8, Wraith ShipPicture #9: Dragonheart/WhisperPicture #10: Me... LOLPicture #11: Wile E. Coyote Crash and BurnPicture #12: Wile E. Coyote Rocket Picture #13: Wile E. Coyote HeadachPicture #14: Whisper and I, Do Not Disturb... hehehePicture #15: PredatorPicture #16: Happy HalloweenPicture #17: Happy Halloween: WhisperPicture #18: Whisper Dragon... slowand fast!Picture #19: Whisper the DragonPicture #20: Me getting flushedPicture #21: Weekend beaming#22: Romulan Warbird with animated sun#23: Romulan Warbird#24: Oil can#25: Vader vs. Obutthead#26: The Race#27: The Race Pt. 2#28: Klingon Battle Cruiser#29:Battle with the Wraith#30: Romulan fleet uncloaking#31: Beep Beep#32: Draglien #33: Blue Bird#34: Batman vs. Me... LOL#35: Monday being Distroyed by Enterprise#36: Ghost#37: Bobber#38: Space Walk#39: Thanksgiving Comment#40: Remote Control#41: Rings#42: Ghoulish Fiends#43: Hand#44: Mihaela Shrinking#45: Marvin the Marian#46: Star Destroyer Canons#47: Jaws (Brad)#48: Pod Race#49: Race Against Star Commander#50: Race against Mikki

Amphiptere Facts1. An amphiptere resembles a large snake with two feathered wings, but with a dragon's head2. They are the most serpent-like dragons; they have no legs3. Related to the wyvern4. Also known as jaculus, and javelin-snake5. The Henham [Essex, England] Amphiptere was as thick as a man's leg and was about 9 feet [3 m] long6. Had two tongues - one normal, the other shaped like an arrow7. Villagers managed to shoo it simply by hurling a few stones and farming tools at it [wasn't it a nice fellow]8. The Arabian Amphiptere lives in treetops, mainly the frankincense trees of Arabia9. If an animal comes too close to the trees, the amphiptere falls backwards from high in the branches and stabs the animal with its barbed tail10. This causes death to most animals, including humans11. The Quetzalcoatl was a kind of Amphiptere12. The Quetzalcoatl was a feathered snake god dating as far back as the Mayan culture of Mexico [500 B.C - A.D. 900]13. Also known as a dragon-being who created the fifth cycle of mankind by using ancestral ashes and bones to create the human body14. Was conceived after his mother swallowed a piece of jade15. Aztec, Toltec and Middle American legends also attribute him with being the son of the virgin goddess Coatlicue16. The god was a symbol of wisdom, life and the wind17. In dragon form, the quetzacoatl was a magnificent sky dragon that streaked across the sky in resplendent emerald plumes18. It was actually identified by zoologists as being a mythological fusion of a serpent and quetzal bird　

Siegfried and Fafnir: (Norse) King Alf of Denmark was a good man who loved his stepson, Siegfried like his own flesh and blood. Siegfried alone seemed to posses the heroic qualities true to a real Viking king, but he had no right to the throne. The dwarf, Regin, saw how to take advantage of the heroic promise showed by Siegfried. One day, with studied innocence, Regin remarked to Siegfried how sad it was that while all his stepbrothers were assured of position and respect as heirs to their father's dominion, he had nothing comparable to look forward to. Unless, that is, he decided to seek fame as a fearless warrior. Siegfried was easily persuaded. Regin lost no time in telling him about a terrible dragon called Fafnir which frequented a barren realm known as Gnitahead and guarded a vast hoard of treasure. To slay such a monster would gain Siegfried great honour and esteem. What Regin didn't mention, was that he was, in fact after the treasure for himself. Years before the birth of Siegfried, the dwarf king had been cut down by one of his own sons, who coveted the king's vast treasure. That son was Fafnir and Fafnir's brother was Regin. After gaining his father's wealth, Fafnir retreated with it to Gnitahead and jealously guarded it. But the treasure was tainted by his dying father's curse and brought about the terrible transformation in Fafnir, turning him into a slithering dragon. When they reached the dragon's cave, Fafnir was nowhere to be seen. Following Regin's advice, Siegfried dug a deep pit in the path along which the dragon would return and hid in it. When Fafnir finally approached, Siegfried thrust his sword upward and felt its blade plunge into the unprotected belly of the dragon. It was a deep wound that caused Fafnir to cry out once and crash to the ground. No sooner had Siegfried clambered out of the pit, than Regin appeared, eyes gleaming with delight. He dug out the dragon's heart, bade Siegfried to light a fire, to roast the heart and give it to him to eat. Regin alleged that this was merely a symbolic gesture. Sigfried saw no reason to doubt the dwarf and did as he was asked, but just as he was about to hand the heart to the dwarf, he burned his finger on the hot surface. He licked his finger to soothe the pain and suddenly heard the birds talking in the trees about how Regin at this very moment was plotting Siegfried's murder; the magic in the dragon heart had given Siegfried the power to hear them. Moments later, Siegfried swung and Regin's head rolled down the path to land beside the dragon. Siegfried walked into the cave to claim the treasure and, unbeknown to him, the curse that accompanied it.

Ragnar and Thora: (Norse) Thora was a woman of Norway famous for her beauty and sweet disposition. She had many who would be her sweetheart but Heraud, her father the Earl of Gothland, did not wish his daughter to marry unless it was to someone worthy of her nobility. One time when Heraud was about to leave on what might be a lengthy expedition, he gave her a golden casket, telling her it contained a guardian for her during his absence. Thora peeked inside and saw, to her amazement, a tiny dragon. She wondered aloud how such a tiny creature could guard her. Her father assured her that the dragon would grow rapidly and become a staunch defender. He then left on his trip. The dragon grew rapidly, and as time went on, became not only enormous but vicious as well, and one day it coiled itself right around the outside of the castle and refused to let anyone enter or leave the building. Even the Earl upon his return could not enter. The only solution was to kill the dragon, but there was no man in the country strong enough to perform such a feat. The Earl sent heralds to proclaim throughout the land that if any man could kill the beast he would be rewarded with marriage to Thora. This proclamation reached the ears of Ragnar, a brave young hero from Sweden, who decided to fight the dragon. In order to avoid death from the dragon's poisonous fangs he had five outfits boiled in pitch until they were harder than the stoutest leather, donned them, and rode off to do battle with the dragon. When he reached the Earl's home he saw the dragon coiled around the castle. He immediately engaged the monster in battle. Ragnar was bitten many times by the dragon with its poisonous fangs, but the thickness and hardness of his outfits prevented the fangs from penetrating and saved him from harm, and at last, with one mighty plunge, he buried his sword in the dragon and killed him. The Earl brought Ragnar, the victor, into the castle to introduce him to Thora, his prize. Thora, who was naturally apprehensive, was relieved when she looked at the handsome Ragnar and loved him at first sight, and Ragnar felt that he was well rewarded for his victory. Their marriage took place amidst great rejoicing. Then Ragnar and his lovely bride returned to Sweden.

The Chinese Dragon's Pearl: (Chinese) A long time ago in China, a boy and his mother lived by a river. The boy earned money by cutting grass and selling it to villagers. One summer there wasn't any rain. The boy had to travel farther to find grass that wasn't dry and brown. Finally, many miles from the village, there was a patch of nice green grass. He hurried home to sell it. He always went to the same spot where the nice grass was. After a while, he was tired of walking so long and far. He decided to dig some of the grass up and plant it near his house. So he went to dig it up. When he did, a big pearl rolled out of the earth he had just dug up. He took the pearl and took it home to his mother. The pearl was worth good money, and so his mother hid it for safekeeping in an empty rice jar. The next day, the grass in the nice spot was dead and brown. "The pearl will by us food," said his mother. She lifted the jar's lid, and saw the rice jar was now filled with rice! The pearl was magic, they realized. That night they put the pearl on top of three coins in the money jar. Morning came and it was full with money! They told no one about the pearl but the people realized that they were growing richer. One day robbers broke in. In panic, the boy grabbed the pearl and swallowed it. His insides began to burn. He ran to the well, but his stomach stayed on fire. His skin cracked and got scaly. He sprouted horns and wings. In no time at all, he had become a dragon.