" Draw a circle "

Landed an apprenticeship at one of the most impressive pottery studios in the area, so that's happening.

First pinch pot. I have a clear idea of what I want to do. Brian Bickle ("Bick-Lee") has me on the basics though, not skipping any steps. He's a disabled veteran and an alchemist wizard in his own right.

Here is a tale I came up with this morning when I spilled some expensive coffee beans that were grown here on island. While some of the elements pull from history, it is (to my knowledge) a fictional account. ~*~*~*~ Let me tell you a fascinating story about how character is revealed in a moment. Murad IV the Sultan was in the process of abolishing coffee from consumption by the common populace. The belief was that coffee was too stimulating and mind-altering to be holy; much like alcohol. It was during this time that esteemed merchants were touring through the region with the finest goods and wares. And of course they would visit the Sultan to showcase the most quality products. Even though guards were instructed to sneak out in disguise to behead coffee drinkers in public, Murad IV would still partake in coffee and even alcohol in some social situations. And so when the first merchant came through with beads of sweat and hands shaking as he pulled out a parcel of coffee beans...Murad IV looked at the package sternly before smelling through the cloth bag and softening his expression and letting out a chuckle. "It's ok, but I've had better. Find the merchants with only the finest quality coffee and bring them to me." So the rookie went out to his network, and soon 3 more merchants appeared. One of the merchants told lofty stories about the magical properties of his beans. He spoke of their healing powers and ability to provide mental clarity. So showy was his display, you could almost taste sugar. Coffee merchant number 2 highlighted the processing of the beans, and this was a well known source because the processor got beans from all over to meet demand, so there was plenty to supply the palace. The third coffee merchant was quiet though. He brought a small quantity of beans from an artisan grower that used clean growing practices and roasted the beans carefully on site. When confronted by the Sultan, he simply said; "The beans speak for themselves." "Surely then, this is the finest coffee!" exclaimed the Sultan. He quickly dismissed the pompous salesmen and thanked the rookie merchant who brought his colleagues. The rookie was so nervous that as he was leaving, he bumped into the choice merchant and a sac of coffee opened in his hand spilling half of its contents onto the floor. Before the rookie could even apologize the Sultan's girlfriend eagerly came and scooped up a handful from the top of the pile on the floor. "These are still precious beans of the finest quality. I can humble myself to drink this, even though it fell to the floor. I will make a good wife." His chief consort, the Haseki Sultan said "I will have coffee from the sac, but nothing that touched the floor. I know these are the finest coffee beans but I also know my worth. Then, the newest wife quietly picked up the remaining beans...very tenderly and carefully, removing bits of dirt and hair as she collected them. She said nothing, but her tender fingers were so loving in the way she cleaned them and cleared the floor. The Sultan watched all of this in amazement and looked at his girlfriend. "This is why you are not a wife. My chief consort knows her worth and would never dream of eating from the floor. My newest wife, she takes care of valuable things and is so affectionate and gentle with everything she touches. But you, you swoop in first like you are owed the best coffee without invitation. You pick up the top of the pile but are too smug to do loving work like my newest wife. Guard, behead this woman for her addiction to coffee. I want her out of my sight!"