The New Nova Delphini 2013 on August 16th, 03:13ut. Discovered by a Japanese amateur astronomer Koichi Itagaki of Yamagata, Japan two days ago at a magnitude 6.2 then and now much brighter from my observation the day before, estimated now between 4.5-6 magnitudes (outburst?). It is located in the constellation Delphinus. (Equipment: LX200ACF 12 in. OTA, F6.3, CGE mount, ST402me NAB Ccd, Astronomik LRGB filter set.)

By the way, the shelf/closet section is finally finished! All of this stuff was supposed to be *moved* by Daniel M. Lopez's contractors, but they threw them away and destroyed them instead, leaving us to do months of staining work. It represents an extreme lack of honor to fuck someone's house up, and then not restore it back to the pre-fucked-up condition. Then he sued us to force a final payment without deduction for the things they fucked up. The experience of dealing with these assholes was FAR, FAR, FAR more effort than going to college. It took almost as long too. (I reiterate: It was a THREE MONTH contract.)

   

BACKSTORY: Anyone who reads our contract (link below) can see that it specified to move the closet and built-in shelves. But Virginia Design Builders's workers -- the workers hired by Daniel M. Lopez -- were unable to properly move the closet without destroying it. And they "accidentally" threw away our shelves. They also broke the trim at the edge of the closet.

 

And then guess what? The asshole refused to stain the broken trim (and everythign else they broke/threw away too) to match the pre-existing color, leaving US with the job of restoring what they broke to the condition it was in before broken. Months of wood-staining hell thanks to the inability of Daniel M. Lopez's company to follow simple contractual instructions, as well as a total lack of honor in fully restoring damaged sections to their pre-damaged condition. We called the broken trim "Mt. Trim", because it was the hardest spot to physical reach in the entire house -- and we had to go up there 10+ times to stain it.

   

STAINING IS A PAIN: Just for reference, proper wood staining is a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR pain in the ass. The wood filling, the sanding, the pre-conditioning, staining, the wiping, the dropcloths, the multiple coats of everything, the (4) polyurethane coats [which often required holding a lamp in one hand, to reflect light on it to ensure evenness], and the final sanding. And don't get me started on the timing: Stain 20 minutes after pre-conditioning, but only for 2 hours; stain in 20 minute cycles consisting of 4 sub-cycles: stain area #1, stain area #2, wipe area #1, wipe area #2. Then break, get new gloves, and start over. A 20 minute cycle might equal 2 shelves, or 2 boards from ceiling to floor. Our spreadsheet had over 200 cells. At the end of the day, the only way to get stain off your skin was to apply paint thinner directly to your skin in violation of the instructions, common sense, and one's best interests...

 

wood staining.

chair, dropcloth, latex glove, newspaper, wood stain.

Duron. Minwax.

 

upstairs, Clint and Carolyn's house, Alexandria, Virginia.

 

June 23, 2007.

  

... Read my blog at ClintJCL.wordpress.com

... Read Carolyn's blog at CarolynCASL.wordpress.com

   

LEGAL: To see an official VA DPOR sanction of $500 (+$150) against Dan Lopez and Virginia Design Builders: www.acm.vt.edu/~clint/download/filedump/2008/daniel-m-lop... ... These people were suing him for $400K last time I checked.To see OUR contract with Dan Lopez / Virginia Design Builders: www.acm.vt.edu/~clint/download/filedump/2008/daniel-m-lop... ... Just in case anybody doesn't believe me.icture, pool table, sandpaper, scissors.

 

upstairs, Clint and Carolyn's house, Alexandria, Virginia.

 

June 4, 2007.

  

... Read my blog at ClintJCL.wordpress.com

... Read Carolyn's blog at CarolynCASL.wordpress.com

 

Carolyn just grabbed the liquor for our celebratory shot, when we realized we needed to use the timer to take a picture together (see previous picture).

 

You can see the fan used for ventilation in the window, and the light (on the newly-stained shelves) that we had to hold with one hand, and move around inside the closet, in order to tell if the clear polyurethane was covering everything properly. You can see the office chair Carolyn bought from her work for $10, and the "purple thing" (as we called it) footstool put on top fo the chair -- That's how you had to reach high places, and it wasn't safe. Carolyn fell into a metal paint bucket and had a really nasty bruise. You can see cardboard boxes from our hardwood flooring, which we used as extra dropclothes (and still managed to ruin a couple areas, including a permament footprint made out of stain near the back right coener of the room). You can also see all the various supplies on our glass table (kinda ruinedit a bit, so it became the candle-burning table after that. Now we're trying to get the wax off of it...)

   

BACKSTORY: Anyone who reads our contract (link below) can see that it specified to move the closet and built-in shelves. But Virginia Design Builders's workers -- the workers hired by Daniel M. Lopez -- were unable to properly move the closet without destroying it. And they "accidentally" threw away our shelves. They also broke the trim at the edge of the closet.

 

And then guess what? The asshole refused to stain ANY of it, despite the fact that the only reason the color now didn't match was due to their inability to properly execute a contract. (It was a 3 month contract and was not finished for over 3 years.) This left us having to stain WAY more wood than we otherwise would have. It was quite literally a difference of several months' work, as we both had jobs (at the time), and spare time at home has been in deficit for awhile.

   

STAINING IS A PAIN: Just for reference, proper wood staining is a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR pain in the ass. The wood filling, the sanding, the pre-conditioning, staining, the wiping, the dropcloths, the multiple coats of everything, the (4) polyurethane coats [which often required holding a lamp in one hand, to reflect light on it to ensure evenness], and the final sanding. And don't get me started on the timing: Stain 20 minutes after pre-conditioning, but only for 2 hours; stain in 20 minute cycles consisting of 4 sub-cycles: stain area #1, stain area #2, wipe area #1, wipe area #2. Then break, get new gloves, and start over. A 20 minute cycle might equal 2 shelves, or 2 boards from ceiling to floor. Our spreadsheet had over 200 cells. At the end of the day, the only way to get stain off your skin was to apply paint thinner directly to your skin in violation of the instructions, common sense, and one's best interests...

 

celebrating, doing shots, standing, wood staining.

Cutty Sark, chair, closet, clutter, mineral spirit, newspaper, paper dropcloth, plastic dropcloth, shelf, stool, wood stain.

Minwax.

 

upstairs, Clint and Carolyn's house, Alexandria, Virginia.

 

July 26, 2007.

  

... Read my blog at ClintJCL.wordpress.com

... Read Carolyn's blog at CarolynCASL.wordpress.com

   

 

LEGAL: To see an official VA DPOR sanction of $500 (+$150) against Dan Lopez and Virginia Design Builders: clint.sheer.us/download/filedump/2008/daniel-m-lop... ... These people were suing him for $400K last time I checked.

 

To see OUR contract with Dan Lopez / Virginia Design Builders: clint.sheer.us/download/filedump/2008/daniel-m-lop... ... Just in case anybody doesn't believe me.

 

Overlooking Lake Ontario, Port Hope, Ont., Canada. From super Hwy. 401 take Port Hope exit south to Hwy. #2, then east. Phone TU 5-5423 for reservations. Lodge and Tower built in 1866. Deluxe sound- proof, heated motels. DINING ROOM with a reputation for excellent food. Swimming Pool. Situated in one of the seven Ozone Belts in the world. An Ideal spot for rest and relaxation. Owner-Management.

[Published by] Canadian Post Card Co. Ltd., Toronto 3

Printed in Canada

75081-B

 

Mattel Great Villains Maleficent Doll (1998)

I was attempting to undress her, but ran into two major difficulties. Here are the steps I took.

 

1. In order to remove her robe, first I had to unsnap the straps fastening the front and back parts to each other near her waist.

 

2. Then I found that the only opening in the robe was one for the neck, and that was very small and inflexible, with no way to widen it.

 

3. Therefore, the only way I could remove the robe was to remove her head.

 

4. Pulling and twisting the head finally allowed the head to come apart from the neck articulation (joint). Fortunately, both the joint and the head were fairly flexible and very tough.

 

5. I could then lift the robe off the doll over the neck.

 

6. Then I found that the dark pink (magenta) satin dress underneath was sewn permanently together. There was no way to get it off the doll's body without ripping the seams apart, or cutting it off. That was very disappointing. It means that she cannot be fitted with another outfit, and that her outfit cannot be put on another doll.

 

7. I put her head back on, and took a couple of photos with just her dress on. Without her robe, Maleficent looks a lot less threatening. She reminds me of Lady Tremaine.

Franse Acheuleaanse vuistbijl (-400 000 / -200 000 jaar). French Acheulean hand ax (-400 000 /- 200 000 year)

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheulean

This photo started out as 3 exposures -2,0,+2 then end result was something I didn't really like. I then came across another photographer while looking at comments on the local Flickr page. I noticed his first picture was something I liked. In fact, it had a lot of things I liked. I proceeded to try my take at recreating that, but with my own photo. Here is the photo/painting/person Marty Hogan

I believe it looks better in the Lightbox so be sure to press L and let me know. :)

Taken with the Canon EOS-M and the 22mm lens HDR in Nik HDR Effex Pro 2, Then converted to mono in Nik Silver Effex Pro Uploaded via IOS so I think that's why no Exif data

Photomatix 4 processed image (3 exposures at -2/0/+2). Then some clean-up on Photoshop and a little bit of pixie dust from Color Efex Pro. Most important I think was getting the cropping right :-)

 

From my blog at www.stewartbaird.com

 

Follow me on Twitter

I've had a red laser for awhile, but I just got this green one and it is awesome, much brighter than the red one.

 

hmmm I wonder what else can I do with it?

 

Cross view this photo to see the 3D.

 

Step 1 - Cross your eyes until you see 4 images instead of 2.

 

Step 2 - Then relax your view so the images move together and you see only 3 images.

 

Step 3 - When you see 3 images stop changing your focus and you will see the center image is 3D.

 

Optional - 4th step - You can also raise your hands to the sides of your eyes to block out the 2 outer images so you only see the center one in 3D!

 

Oh yeah, one more thing... you should be about 2 or 3 feet from the screen and if you are having trouble move closer or farther from the screen, sometimes that helps.

 

Enjoy

Posted for Oruhito.

 

This is a CP to explain one way of folding an octagonal twist fold from a grid.

 

1. Start by folding the red pleat-creases, using the grid for the reference points.

2. Then fold the creases in the middle that form the octagon via angle-bisecting.

3. The blue pleat-creases are folded last, and are based on the intersections of the previous creases, parallel to the red pleat-creases.

 

If actually folding a tessellation using this, you don't have to precrease the blue pleat-creases; they will automatically fall into place as you collapse it.

 

This method of obtaining octagonal twists is reverse engineered from the works of Andy Wilson. The disadvantage of this method is that the blue pleat-creases are completely off the grid, and thus this somewhat restricts/complicates what you can do with the rest of your tessellation.

 

By the way, this crease pattern is specifically for an iso-area twist. You can easily change this to be a regular twist simply by rearranging the layers.

Time to Travel! We're flying Mexicana to Mexico City from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in 1966. Taken at Satellite 2, then the international terminal. (Now known as Terminal 2).

 

LAX (2)

stopmotion / Clare came over and we went to Goodwill and got sunglasses for $2. then she fell asleep in my driveway.

Redhill 'B' box sat between the divergence of the Brighton and Guildford lines and controlled the southern approach to Redhill station from the Tonbridge, Brighton and Guildford lines. It was a South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) design dating from 1882 when it replaced an older box built in 1858 called Red Hill Junction. This box came into operation on 05/11/1882 and was initially called Red Hill No.2 but by 1932 this had changed to the more modern spelling of Redhill as one word so Redhill No.2. Then in the early BR era it was changed again to Redhill 'B' box. The box was originally an all wood construction but the thick brick base around the locking room was added during World War II as a precaution against air raid damage. I guess the authorities valued the equipment below above that of the men operating the box hence it retained its wooden upper section. It closed on the 12/05/1985 in conjunction with the Brighton line resignalling and control of the three way junction moved to the new Three Bridges Power Signal Box further south on the Brighton line.

Taken with a William Optics 70mm refractor with Thousand Oaks Solar Filter, 2x Barlow and Canon 1100D on an EQ5 Pro mount

 

Images shot in RAW, then cropped and converted into TIFFs.

Best 40% of 225 images stacked using Autostakkert! 2, then the stacked image processed in Lightroom and Fast Stone Image Viewer

Mattel Great Villains Maleficent Doll (1998)

I was attempting to undress her, but ran into two major difficulties. Here are the steps I took.

 

1. In order to remove her robe, first I had to unsnap the straps fastening the front and back parts to each other near her waist.

 

2. Then I found that the only opening in the robe was one for the neck, and that was very small and inflexible, with no way to widen it.

 

3. Therefore, the only way I could remove the robe was to remove her head.

 

4. Pulling and twisting the head finally allowed the head to come apart from the neck articulation (joint). Fortunately, both the joint and the head were fairly flexible and very tough.

 

5. I could then lift the robe off the doll over the neck.

 

6. Then I found that the dark pink (magenta) satin dress underneath was sewn permanently together. There was no way to get it off the doll's body without ripping the seams apart, or cutting it off. That was very disappointing. It means that she cannot be fitted with another outfit, and that her outfit cannot be put on another doll.

 

7. I put her head back on, and took a couple of photos with just her dress on. Without her robe, Maleficent looks a lot less threatening. She reminds me of Lady Tremaine.

AI generated image in DDG Text 2 then edited in BeFunky

Taken from Oxfordshire with a 70mm refractor on an EQ5 Pro mount, 2 x Barlow and Canon 1100D

Best 34% of 200 frames stacked using Autostakkert! 2, then processed in Lightroom

 

This was about 18 hours away from Full Moon

it is getting a bit complicated :-)

 

1. first I shot the 2x4 images with the Rhinocam

2. then I moved the Rinocam to the outer left position and shifted the front standard by 8, 16 and 24mm shooting 2 images on every position with Rhinocam position up and down

3. and then the same to the right position

4. shifted the front standard down for 4/5 of an image (easy to control in life view)

5. shot the whole bottom row by shifting the front standard from from far left to far right

6. when the front standard was in the center position I moved the Rhinocam to all 4 positions

 

and hoped, that the light was stable

and hoped, that I did not change any other setting of the Gandolfi

 

you got lost :-)) me too!

 

as you can see, one image is missing at the bottom left

and parts of the image are unsharp, due to slight movement during shifting

 

that is the con,

the pro is, that you can control the focus much better than on any ground glass

and it is fun :-)

Shot in Piney Point Md behind my sisters beach home....these kids ( two center one's being mine) fished, crab'd ( cwabbed as they say it down there), and just played here all thru the 4th of July weekend......HDR 5 ex -2,-1,0,+1,+2 then tone mapped in in photomatix and PP in CS3 with a touch of Lucisart for sharpness.....hardest thing was to fire off 5 shots with zero movement.....done on 2nd try......my objective was to show an image that resembled the photos from the show "Deadliest Catch"

Stealing flash again..

 

I teach the participants how to do these..

1.The Shooter (1/160 @ f8), the one that has the trigger for the flash needs to count 1-2-3, then Click the shutter

2.Then I ask the other participants to put there settings in 1/4 @ f8, then click the shutter when the SHOOTER says 3.. then wala... Stealing flash...

  

On another note...

been really stressed lately.. and just really trying to make it thru these tough times.. true story.. I was cleaning my studio a while ago when I sat in the couch and couldn't help it anymore, tears just went falling down my face.. :( so yeah.. really really tough times....

 

I'm glad that I had a workshop because if I didn't it would be another s**** shot for the day...

  

Strobist info: (stealing flash, see above for details)

sb-600 thru softbox infront of subject above pointing down @ 1/4

sb-600 behind subject left @ 1/16

sb-800 behind subject right @ 1/16

Image taken Circa 1990 by David Moth.At Goodwood Aerodrome.West Sussex.

This F-28A was cancelled from the British Register in December 1993 as Sold to New Zealand and became ZK-HKD (2) then to Canada as C-GZFL ..currently in the USA . www.rotorspot.nl

 

From 1 JPEG file I saved 5 different files, spacing EV 1 between images, going from -2 to +2.

Then using Photomatix I created the HDR file and played with tonepad. And finally I adjusted the image with Photoshop

This picture is called "Boldt and Boats" because you can see Boldt Castle off towards the left of the shot, and there's boats in the picture! I took this picture during my trip to the Thousand Islands.

 

This HDR was taken using three exposures (-2,0,+2), then tone-mapped it in Photomatix Pro, added Hue/Saturation Layers in Photoshop, and then Smart Sharpened in Photoshop. I hope you guys enjoy this!

This is the screenshot I took last night at 10.24pm.

 

From my study, the flickr views rates have drop a lots due to the flickr Explore algorithm change.

 

Also what affected my views rates is because of:

 

1. I am unable to search for my contacts in groups

 

2. My contacts are unable to search for me on their site

 

3. flickr continue to delete my great contacts which I finger stroke by finger stroke selected.

 

4. My contact's repeating add me as contact after found that their's & my name have been deleted from their list, but within hour or day, that contact have been deleted again by the system!!

 

5. The existing contacts list as in flickr database for me are junk list which many of them are not active or I may not have come across these people.

 

...etc.

 

I have to do more heart + hardwork to visit contacts & visit, return visit to those contacts that visiting me.

 

Beside, I have to visit groups; also feature contacts outstanding pic & post to my blog's or group's Blogs...

 

All these are time; energy & resources sucking & no monetory gain in the Money Wealth Economy!!

 

The "Knowledge Wealth" economy that I contributed to the net is a 16 hour per day activities which is an everyday on flickr-yahoo. & On those days that I am not in the field.

 

To me those who presented their Master Pieces online are not photographer, as the Digital technology & Camera & video Cam are all simple & intelligent. even a 3 years old baby can take pictures these day.

 

However, to take good image & great images, one must have the knowledge & skill on arts & image caputring technique, project planning & management; media communication, marketing & promotion...networking...etc.

 

Therefore, posting a photos or images is not just simple...

 

The traditional works of paid photographer's or artist demised, & the "knowledge Wealth" artist's & technologist like us are attempting to re-define the e-Economy & generate return; meanwhile the contribution to the "Money Wealth" economy have not been recognised but with many suppression & ..... this is exactly the conflict of the 2 economy in transition.

 

In the civilization of human kind; "Money Economy" & "Knowledge Economy" are always co-existance" since the day of the Sea Shell as the 1st money unit.

 

"Money Economy" is originated from "Knowledge Economy" since the day one of Civilization of the Human Kind.

 

With the conflict between the two economy without realizing the origin & co-existance of the 2 then there would be more conflicts of humankind &the Money Economy & Knowledge Economy.

 

Ultimately , money economy would have to give way to the knowledge economy when the dust settled.

 

Then Peace & harmony will return to earth.

 

Our kids or grand kids will then be living in so call "Heaven On Earth!!"

 

My Appreciation to all of you who visit; support; encouragement; inspire me during these difficult time...

 

I can see that those who visiting me are real friends & supporters, they done fly by night... they are going to stay & continue our mission to serve the mankind today & tomorrow.

 

You all are greatest people on earth... My friend!!!!!

 

My Heartiest Appreciations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  

One of my first HDR's!

 

When I went on this trip to Arizona I hadn't had a chance to figure out my autobracketing feature or even how to change the f-stop on my Mom's dslr, so I had taken maybe 4 or 5 'hdrs' earlier by changing the iso inbetween shots. haha

 

After playing around with the settings the night before this shot I finally figured out if I set those little numbers to -2,0, and +2 then I could take a bright shot, a dark shot, and a normal shot really fast.

 

Now that's REAL self taught photography ;-)

 

Unfortunately, I still didn't know that if I was careful I could take those shots handheld. Which is why there's a dumb stick and rock in the way of the good stuff :P

 

#151 in interestingness (on 2009-04-12)

  

I took 3 shot with different exposures, -2 / 0 / +2, then i used Photoshop to make the HDR.

 

Much better in black :)

This is a section of a mosaic of the northern, Earth-facing region of the moon. Visible in this picture are Mare Frigoris, Sinus Roris, and Sinus Iridum. The crater Plato is prominent in the center of the image.

 

All images were taken from Long Beach, CA, with a Celestron Edge HD 9.25" telescope at f/10 with a Point Grey Flea3 color CCD camera. The best 200 of 800 frames were stacked in AutoStakkert!2, then processed in GIMP 2.6. The frames were assembled into a mosaic with Microsoft ICE.

Some empties shot with a Pentax K-r using a genuine Pentax M42 adapter and a ƒ-2/58mm Helios-44-2, then processed with DxO Film Pack, Agfa APX 25 film filter.

23 Dec 1986, Tue (Detroit, MI to Belvidere, NJ)

Woke at 5.45 and was down in lobby around 6.30. Got stuffed around with bill (had understood we were to get a free night) then the hotel car was late. Anyway, made it to the airport in time to catch 8.15 flight to Newark. By the time we took off we were about 15 mins late. Arrived and after waiting for luggage a good 20-30 minutes, we just caught a bus to Easton, Pennsylvania. On arrival, contacted Mr Ott (Howard) who picked us up. Howard and Jane are really lovely people and much saddened by Cynthia’s death. A lot of memories came back for Peter especially after going up to her apartment. They have a big lovely old house.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

24 Dec 1986, Wed (Belvidere, NJ)

Christmas Eve a pretty grey day. Berk, the Ott’s son arrived during the night. We went for a walk downtown and wandered around. It just does not seem like Christmas at all. In the afternoon, Mrs Ott took us to the local Wayne County library and got a very interesting tour from one of the head honchos. I think that libraries have the same hassles all over the world, lack of space, etc. Got back in time to walk up the road 2 minutes to St Patrick’s Catholic Church for Mass at 4.00. Smallish church – Irish priest, it was pretty disappointing. We stood up the back, about the only Christmas flavour were a couple of carols sung half-heartedly. Went to the Presbyterian service at 8.00 with the Otts and came home to an oyster casserole.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

25 Dec 1986, Thu (Belvidere, NJ)

Christmas Day, another very grey day. Got up about 9.00. Had a light breakfast and we all opened our presents in the living room. The Otts gave us some blue statues. Did washing, helped with lunch. With rellies, there were ten of us for lunch, pork and venison and pumpkin pie. Lounged till around 4.00. Mr Ott took his mum-in-law (Mrs Evelyn Wieghorst) home so on the way we got to check out the local museum, and she invited us into her home which she and her husband (John) built from materials on their land. Had a nice evening talking and watching TV. We talked more of Cynthia and I think it was good to talk things about, rather than keep it inside.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

26 Dec 1986, Fri (Belvidere, NJ to New York City)

Mr and Mrs Ott drove us into Hackettstown, NJ to catch the bus to NYC. Arrived to be ripped off by a guy who took us 100 yards to a taxi and asked for $2, then a taxi, $3 for 500 yards up the road to the Milford Plaza. Checked in and took a walk looking for the Jewish 47th Street Photo store (at first on 42nd St). Found it then continued to 89th along Central Park to find Angela Willis. She was not home (50 E 98 St #14B) so left message there and at hospital. Caught taxi to Wall St ($10) – toured Stock Exchange, had a street hamburger. Caught subway from World Trade Center back to town. Got half tix for ‘42nd Street’. Dined in a steak house. Walked back to hotel and changed room due to noisy lift and went to show just around the corner. Pretty good! Went for a walk.

Milford Plaza Hotel, 270 West 45th Street, New York, NY

 

27 Dec 1986, Sat (New York City)

Angela Willis rang at 8am and suggested some places to visit. After making some phone calls re hotel reservations and flights we caught the subway and subsequent ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Packed with people. Came back and walked to World Trade Center, waited in another queue to see the spectacular views of this concrete jungle, hardly a tree to be seen! Caught subway back to Times Square and had lunch at 3.00 at Wendy’s (chilli). Walked down to Sax of 5th Avenue. Peter bought scarf for his mum. Saw a slide and sound presentation “The NY Experience” in the McGraw-Hill Building. Good but dated. Had tea at Tony R. Ribs pretty good but filling. Went back to hotel and wrote some postcards, then walked back to see 10.20 session of “Crocodile Dundee”.

Milford Plaza Hotel, 270 West 45th Street, New York, NY

 

goo.gl/maps/bqg6RcnNMAHSrUwP6

...or The Towel as Abstract Art. Here are four variations on the theme. I couldn't decide which I liked best. What's your preference? EXPLORE: 8 September 2010, highest #170. Thanks everyone!

 

Photos taken for Our Daily Challenge: Towels

 

I just discovered something COOL! If you scroll back and forth, fairly rapidly, you get a really interesting effect. It's best on #2, then #4. Thanks to JudyGr I learned that this phenomenon has a name: moviscrolliosis. And there is a Flickr group for it: www.flickr.com/groups/moviscrolliosis/pool/with/4973944561/

 

Recycled for Our Daily Topic: Lines

23 Dec 1986, Tue (Detroit, MI to Belvidere, NJ)

Woke at 5.45 and was down in lobby around 6.30. Got stuffed around with bill (had understood we were to get a free night) then the hotel car was late. Anyway, made it to the airport in time to catch 8.15 flight to Newark. By the time we took off we were about 15 mins late. Arrived and after waiting for luggage a good 20-30 minutes, we just caught a bus to Easton, Pennsylvania. On arrival, contacted Mr Ott (Howard) who picked us up. Howard and Jane are really lovely people and much saddened by Cynthia’s death. A lot of memories came back for Peter especially after going up to her apartment. They have a big lovely old house.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

24 Dec 1986, Wed (Belvidere, NJ)

Christmas Eve a pretty grey day. Berk, the Ott’s son arrived during the night. We went for a walk downtown and wandered around. It just does not seem like Christmas at all. In the afternoon, Mrs Ott took us to the local Wayne County library and got a very interesting tour from one of the head honchos. I think that libraries have the same hassles all over the world, lack of space, etc. Got back in time to walk up the road 2 minutes to St Patrick’s Catholic Church for Mass at 4.00. Smallish church – Irish priest, it was pretty disappointing. We stood up the back, about the only Christmas flavour were a couple of carols sung half-heartedly. Went to the Presbyterian service at 8.00 with the Otts and came home to an oyster casserole.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

25 Dec 1986, Thu (Belvidere, NJ)

Christmas Day, another very grey day. Got up about 9.00. Had a light breakfast and we all opened our presents in the living room. The Otts gave us some blue statues. Did washing, helped with lunch. With rellies, there were ten of us for lunch, pork and venison and pumpkin pie. Lounged till around 4.00. Mr Ott took his mum-in-law (Mrs Evelyn Wieghorst) home so on the way we got to check out the local museum, and she invited us into her home which she and her husband (John) built from materials on their land. Had a nice evening talking and watching TV. We talked more of Cynthia and I think it was good to talk things about, rather than keep it inside.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

26 Dec 1986, Fri (Belvidere, NJ to New York City)

Mr and Mrs Ott drove us into Hackettstown, NJ to catch the bus to NYC. Arrived to be ripped off by a guy who took us 100 yards to a taxi and asked for $2, then a taxi, $3 for 500 yards up the road to the Milford Plaza. Checked in and took a walk looking for the Jewish 47th Street Photo store (at first on 42nd St). Found it then continued to 89th along Central Park to find Angela Willis. She was not home (50 E 98 St #14B) so left message there and at hospital. Caught taxi to Wall St ($10) – toured Stock Exchange, had a street hamburger. Caught subway from World Trade Center back to town. Got half tix for ‘42nd Street’. Dined in a steak house. Walked back to hotel and changed room due to noisy lift and went to show just around the corner. Pretty good! Went for a walk.

Milford Plaza Hotel, 270 West 45th Street, New York, NY

 

27 Dec 1986, Sat (New York City)

Angela Willis rang at 8am and suggested some places to visit. After making some phone calls re hotel reservations and flights we caught the subway and subsequent ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Packed with people. Came back and walked to World Trade Center, waited in another queue to see the spectacular views of this concrete jungle, hardly a tree to be seen! Caught subway back to Times Square and had lunch at 3.00 at Wendy’s (chilli). Walked down to Sax of 5th Avenue. Peter bought scarf for his mum. Saw a slide and sound presentation “The NY Experience” in the McGraw-Hill Building. Good but dated. Had tea at Tony R. Ribs pretty good but filling. Went back to hotel and wrote some postcards, then walked back to see 10.20 session of “Crocodile Dundee”.

Milford Plaza Hotel, 270 West 45th Street, New York, NY

View a walk through video of this aircraft here:

youtu.be/JAI2qjTCSwQ

  

The Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star was an American Airborne early warning and control radar surveillance aircraft operational in the 1950s in both the United States Navy (USN) and United States Air Force (USAF).

 

The military version of the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation was used to serve as an airborne early warning system to supplement the Distant Early Warning Line, using 2 large radomes (a vertical dome above and a horizontal one below the fuselage). It replaced the TBM-3W used by the USN. Some EC-121s were also used for Signal Intelligence gathering (SIGINT). The EC-121 was introduced in 1954 and phased out in 1978, although a single specially modified EW aircraft remained in USN service until 1982.

 

The USN versions when initially procured were designated WV-1 (PO-1W), WV-2, and WV-3. The USAF Warning Stars served during the Vietnam War both as electronic sensor monitors and as a forerunner to the Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS. USAF aircrews adopted its civil nickname, "Connie" (diminutive of Constellation) as reference, USN aircrews used the nickname "Willie Victor".

 

Since 1943 the Lockheed Constellation had been in USAAF service as the C-69. The use of the Constellation by the USN for patrol and airborne early warning duties was first investigated in 1949, when the USN acquired 2 Lockheed L-749 Constellations. First flown on 9 June 1949, the PO-1W carried large, long-range radars in massive radomes above and below the fuselage. As the radomes possessed considerably more side area, the vertical stabilizers of the PO-1W had to be enlarged. After the PO-1W (redesignated WV-1 in 1952) had proved that it was possible to operate large radars on aircraft, the USN ordered the WV-2 based on the L-1049 Super Constellation. The WV-1s were transferred to the Federal Aviation Agency in 1958–1959.

 

The WV-2/EC-121D was initially fitted with a dorsal AN/APS-45 height finder and a ventral AN/APS-20 search radar. These were later upgraded to AN/APS-103 and AN/APS-95 radars, although not simultaneously. The crew commonly numbered 18, 6 officers (2 pilots, 2 navigators, 2 weapons controllers) and 12 enlisted (2 flight engineers, 1 radio operator, 2 crew chiefs, 5 radar operators, 2 radar technicians).[4] However, when North Korea shot down a Navy EC-121 in 1969, a crew of 31 was on board.

 

Orders were placed totaling 142 PO-2W Constellations based on the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation with deliveries beginning in 1953. The PO-2W was redesignated WV-2 in 1954. In 1962, with standardization of aircraft designations within the Department of Defense, the WV-2 then became the EC-121K. A total of 13 of these were converted to WV-2Q Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) aircraft (becoming EC-121M in 1962). 9 were converted to WV-3 weather reconnaissance aircraft (WC-121N in 1962). The EC-121K was also operated by Training Squadron 86 (VT-86) at NAS Glynco, Georgia for training of Student Naval Flight Officers destined to fly both the EC-121 and the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye. At NAS Glynco closure VT-86 transferred to NAS Pensacola, Florida in 1973, the squadron's last EC-121 was also flown to NAS Pensacola being stored in the collection of the National Museum of Naval Aviation where it still remains. A single aircraft became an NC-121K, the electronic warfare variant assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 (VAQ-33) at NAS Key West, Florida. The aircraft was the last EC-121 in operational service, flying until 25 June 1982.

 

The USAF received 10 RC-121C and 74 EC-121D Warning Stars also based on the L-1049 beginning with diversions from the Navy contracts in October 1953. The 10 RC-121Cs became trainers, designated TC-121C. Between 1966 and 1969, 30 retired USN EC-121s were transferred to USAF and converted in EC-121Rs as sensor-monitoring aircraft. Of the 74 EC-121s, 42 were converted to the EC-121H upgrade beginning in 1962 and in 1969, 15 of the remaining EC-121Ds and 7 of the EC-121Hs were further upgraded into the final operational variant, the EC-121T, serving as an AWACS prototype in Southeast Asia in 1972. Five EC-121Ds were modified to be broadcasting aircraft for psychological warfare operations, the predecessors of the EC-130 Commando Solo.

 

This aircraft:

 

October 1954 Delivered to 4701st Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron, Air Defense Command (ADC), McClellan Air Force Base (AFB), (Sacramento) California as RC-121D 52-3418

December 1954 8th Air Defense Division, ADC, McClellan AFB

March 1955 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, ADC, Otis AFB, (Falmouth) Massachusetts

1962 Re-designated EC-121D

March 1963 966th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron, ADC, McCoy AFB, (Orlando) Florida

1968 Delivered to LTV ElectroSystems, Greenville, Texas for conversion from EC-121D to EC-121T

August 1969 Assigned to 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, ADC, McClellan AFB, deployed to Taiwan Air Base (AB), Taiwan; Kwangju AB, Korea; and Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

June 1974 delivered to 79th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron, US Air Force Reserve, Homestead AFB, (Homestead) Florida

April 1976 Retired to Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center, Davis-Monthan AFB, (Tucson) Arizona for storage

August 1980 Dropped from USAF inventory as surplus

May 1981 Ferried to Topeka, Combat Air Museum with Cpt. Frank Lang in command - final registration - N4257U

 

From Wikipedia:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_EC-121_Warning_Star

 

USAF S/N: 52-3418

US Civil Registration: N4257U

  

Photo by Eric Friedebach

The Postcard

 

A postally unused postcard that was published in 1911 by the Success Postal Card Co., Publishers, of New York.

 

The photography was by Irving Underhill (1872 - 1960) of New York. Irving was one of the most notable commercial photographers in New York City during the first half of the 20th. century.

 

Irving produced work that was frequently featured on postcards and in numerous publications while he was alive, and his work continues to be exhibited and receive recognition long after his death.

 

On the divided back of the card the publishers have printed:

 

'Belmont Hotel.

The Belmont stands on Park

Avenue, from 41st. to 42nd.

Streets.

It is 292 feet high, 258,400

sq. ft. floor area'.

 

258,400 square feet is an area of almost 6 acres.

 

The Hotel Belmont

 

Upon completion, the Hotel Belmont was the tallest hotel in the world.

 

The excellent website daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com provides interesting detail regarding the hotel. Here it is:

 

'At the turn of the last century, a rather handsome two-story building stood at the southwest corner of Park Avenue and 42nd Street. It housed Peter Tivnan’s restaurant, and the Hetherington drugstore (and before that, Schoonmaker’s Drugstore). As excavation for the coming Fourth Avenue subway commenced in 1902, the Victorian structure was razed.

 

One block to the south stood the massive Murray Hill Hotel which opened in 1884. Before long the aging hostelry would have competition in the 23-storey Hotel Belmont.

 

Because of the sharp turn its route had to make at 42nd. Street, the subway necessarily had to go under the now-vacant plot. The Subway Realty Company (most of the stock of which was owned by the Interborough Rapid Transit) purchased the land, which it rented to the Hotel Belmont Company at $125,000 per year. The complex set of negotiations was eased by the fact that millionaire August Belmont Jr. had founded the Interborough and, not surprisingly, was highly involved in the Hotel Belmont Company.

 

In order to construct a substantial structure above the subway, massive columns had to be installed that reached five storeys below street level. On January 24, 1904 the New-York Tribune reported:

 

“These pillars, three times the size of any

of the others [in the subway project], are

of solid steel, encased in brick, and they

support the new Hotel Belmont, now building.

Practically the entire weight of this huge

structure rests on these pillars, supported on

the subway roof, intervening between them

and its foundations.”

 

As the subway and the hotel were constructed, August Belmont left his mark in the design of both in the form of a siding for his private subway car. The “Mineola” would cost more than $11,000 to construct, and was fitted out like the luxurious private train cars that millionaires used above ground.

 

On September 25 1904, as the hotel began taking form, the New-York Tribune noted:

 

“The ground area of the Hotel Belmont

contains 22,000 square feet and its cost

is estimated at $5,000,000, or $240 a

square foot.”

 

The great expense would be understandable when its doors opened for business in 1906.

 

The Palm Garden featured exquisite crystal chandeliers, marble columns and a frescoed ceiling.

 

In December of that year, The Architectural Record said:

 

“To this monster hotel one might aptly

apply the expression for large New York

enterprises: A city in itself.

On entering it the spectator experiences

a sensation as in a large department store:

Where shall we go first?”

 

It was most likely no coincidence that Belmont chose for his architects Warren & Wetmore, who simultaneously worked on the magnificent new Grand Central Terminal across 42nd. Street.

 

Despite the building’s grandeur and size, The Architectural Record was less than impressed with the exterior. It called the cornice “ponderous” and “rather loud.”

 

Turning to the lower floors the critic described:

 

“In it the two great entrance features, one

on Park avenue, the other on Forty-Second

Street, with their marquises in glass and

wrought-iron, form the eyes, the centres of

interest.

In the Park avenue elevation, the stone

pedimented windows are given such

importance that they appear to fight the

ironwork for supremacy and this antagonism

of the windows and entrance is further

emphasized by the negative way in which the

intermediate long windows of the first and

second stories are treated.”

 

Architecture critic H. W. Frohue found the cornice "rather loud."

 

Writing for the periodical in 1906, H. W. Frohue was as unforgiving regarding the interiors:

 

“The decorative treatment of the ceiling and

wall surfaces calls for less enthusiastic praise.”

 

Regarding the lobby decorations, he said:

 

“Supporting the beams and on each side of

the piers which look quite able to support

their loads, there have been placed ponderous

Atlas-like figures executed in white staff.

Aesthetically one can find no excuse for them,

nor do they give any particular character to

the room.”

 

Frohue also said:

 

"The red marble entrance hall is rather cold

and uninviting…The brilliant chandelier of cut

glass in the centre forms the most attractive

spot of decoration in a rather expressionless

interior.”

 

The critic summed up the public spaces by saying it left:

 

"An impression of vastness.”

 

Occupants of the Hotel Belmont

 

(i) Eva Briel Werner

 

Despite H. W. Frohue’s tepid opinion, the hotel saw the comings and goings of wealthy travelers. Among them was Mrs. Eva Briel Werner who arrived on Tuesday January 14, 1908.

 

The wife of Frederick A. Werner whom The World termed “A millionaire business man of New York and London,” she was 35 years old and, according to the newspaper, was:

 

"Prominent in social life on both sides

of the water, wealthy in her own right.”

 

In 1901 the Werners had lost two children. The World commented:

 

“Since then she has been inconsolable.

Her ailment has been chronic. She was

given all the freedom in the world by her

husband because he believed that travel

and excitement would aid her.”

 

In March 1907 the pair were in London; but Eva traveled to New York as a guest of Mrs. Henry Wellington Wack of Riverside Drive.

 

Mrs. Wack’s husband was counsel to King Leopold of Belgium. Now, nearly a year later, Eva Werner checked into the Belmont, locked herself in her rooms and began writing heartfelt letters to friends and family. In them she spoke of death, saying she had to die.

 

Eva placed her jewelry—valued at $16,000—in a suitcase and left a diary in her room. One entry read:

 

“I am not worthy of the love and kindness

of my husband and all of my friends, and I

must die.”

 

She walked out of the Belmont that evening, and when she had not returned by Thursday, police started a search of hotels, hospitals and sanatoriums. Weeks later the mystery of her disappearance appeared to have been solved when relatives in Boston sent word to police:

 

"To no longer continue a search for Mrs.

Werner, as she was found alive and well.”

 

It is possible that the wealthy Boston family simply wanted to put a stop to the uncomfortable publicity. What is certain, however, is that Eva Werner was by no means alive nor well.

 

Five months after her disappearance, the her body was found in the East River by Pier 14. When the badly decomposed body was brought to the morgue, only remnants of a brown dress remained; but the label “Slattery & Co., Boston” was still legible. It was enough for Eva’s brother to identify her.

 

(ii) Nathan Schultz

 

On July 8 that year, 20-year old Nathan Schultz checked into the Hotel Belmont. His arrival coincided with a rash of spectacular burglaries of the finest hotels in New York—including the Waldorf-Astoria, the Grand, and the Plaza. The New-York Tribune said the thief had “led the police a merry chase for the last few weeks.”

 

In the suite on the 14th. floor next to Schultz were Mostyn Cookson and his wife who were visiting from England. What the Cooksons did not know was that the man in the suite next door was New York’s most sought-after crook, Nathan Levine. And what Levine did not know was that Cookson was a Major in the British Army.

 

Around 2:30 on the morning of July 9 the daring robber climbed out his window and along the three-inch wide stone coping 200 feet above the sidewalk and into the Cookson rooms. After pocketing $2,000 of Mrs. Cookson’s jewelry, he was discovered by the woman. He tied her up and threatened to kill her.

 

The New-York Tribune reported on July 10 that:

 

“She screamed and aroused her husband,

who disregarded Levine’s threats and beat

him thoroughly after knocking a revolver

from his hand.

Major Cookson covered the burglar with the

captured revolver until hotel employees and

the police arrived.”

 

In Levine’s rooms the police found two revolvers, two “dark lanterns,” a dagger, several bottles of knock-out drops, and a box of red pepper. As the Major and Mrs. Cookson sailed home on the steamship Baltic on the afternoon of July 9, Nathan Levine was being transported to Sing Sing prison to serve a sentence of 10 to 40 years.

 

(iii) Father Joseph Hirling

 

A bizarre incident occurred the following year when Father Joseph Hirling was hurrying to Grand Central Terminal on April 13, 1909. Mistaking the Hotel for an annex of the train station, he entered. He walked to an elevator but it was too crowded, so he walked into the open door of another one. The elevator was not there.

 

The priest plunged 60 feet down the shaft where he was found unconscious by hotel staff. The New-York Tribune reported the following day:

 

“For a long time his name and how he

met his injuries were unknown, but late

last night he recovered consciousness

and explained.

Despite suffering a broken right leg and

several bruises, the unfocused priest

recovered".

 

(iv) Jergen E. Muhlensteth

 

The Hotel Belmont, like all hotels, saw repeated suicides or attempted suicides through the years. One of the most disturbing was that of 28-year old Jergen E. Muhlensteth. The man had been butler to Dr. E. D. Kelsey in his home at No. 44 East 29th. Street until June 1909 when he resigned, saying that he wished for a better position.

 

He volunteered to join the U.S. Army, but a month later, following a physical examination, received a rejection letter. The rejection apparently ate away at the dejected man, and six months later he checked into the Hotel Belmont. Later the Army’s rejection letter was found, torn into many pieces in his room.

 

Muhlensteth threw himself from his 11th. floor window that faced the interior air shaft. His body crashed through the glass ceiling of the lobby, and smashed to the floor among terrified guests. The coroner arrived within ten minutes, and determined that he had been killed instantly with a fractured skull.

 

(v) Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

The hotel’s proximity to the train terminal made it a favorite for meetings of groups with far-flung attendees. Such was the case when Senator Franklin D. Roosevelt called a meeting “To discuss the coming Presidential campaign and the question of the leadership and principles of the Democratic party in the State of New York,” said The Sun on July 14, 1912.

 

(vi) Jean Millon

 

As is the case today, upscale hotels in the first decades of the last century not only saw society functions, suicides and political events; they were the scenes of scandalous trysts. In 1913 the suave Frenchman Jean Millon was chief chef at the Ritz-Carlton. His highly-paid position afforded him the ability to mingle in his off hours among Manhattan’s socially elite. Such was the case on March 10 that year when he dined at the exclusive Maxim’s restaurant.

 

Charles Lehman’s wife was there that night and introduced Millon to wealthy friends, Ernest Eidlitz and his wife. The couple had been married in 1907 and, it appears that the spark that had died in their relationship reignited between the chef and Mrs. Eidlitz.

 

A few days later a basket of fruits and candies arrived as a gift to the married woman from Millon. When she hosted her own birthday party on March 22, Millon was “One of the honored guests,” according to The Evening World. The attraction grew. On April 10, Ernest Eidlitz waited until 3:30 in the morning for his wife to return home.

 

Things escalated when Marion Sterner was in the Hotel Belmont on May 23, a little more than two months after Millon had met Eidlitz’s wife. She later testified that she:

 

“Saw Millon and Mrs. Eidlitz at the Hotel

Belmont drinking wine, and later they

registered as ‘J. Beanaux and wife’ and

went to room 51.”

 

Eidlitz put two private detectives on his wife’s trail. It all came to a dramatic conclusion when the lovebirds were followed into the Hotel Belmont on the afternoon of May 27. After once again drinking wine downstairs, they registered as “Michaud and wife” and went to a suite of rooms.

 

Their romantic afternoon was soon shattered when Eidlitz’s lawyer and the two private investigators banged on the door after waiting a short period. The Evening World reported on July 23:

 

"Finally the door was opened by Millon,

wearing little clothing. They went into

the bedroom…and found Mrs. Eidlitz

in bed.”

 

Devastated by the humiliating and scandalous press, Eidlitz’s wife fled to Paris rather than appear in court. Eidlitz sued his wife for divorce on June 2, then sued the French chef for $50,000 (a substantial $1.15 million today) for alienating his wife’s affections.

 

(vii) Elizabeth Gurley Flynn

 

Staff at the Hotel Belmont were apparently well taken care of. At the time of Mrs. Eidlitz’s shocking affair, the nation was swept with labor upheaval and worker strikes. Earlier that year, in January, Manhattan’s most exclusive hotels were pummeled by waiter strikes led by the Industrial Workers of the World.

 

Representatives of the group told reporters that:

 

"They would send their well dressed

strikers into the hotels, accompanied

by equally well gowned women - their

wives or daughters.

They figured they would not attract

attention and cause disorder by such

a method.”

 

Once inside, they would incite the waiters and kitchen help to walk off the job, leaving wealthy patrons at unattended tables.

 

On January 11, 1913, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (described by the New-York Tribune as “A slim and pretty young woman, with tired eyes") went to the door of the Hotel Belmont with “two gaily clothed strikers.” The Tribune said that:

 

"She there bade them come out only

when they had called a strike among

all the waiters and kitchen help there.”

 

She waited. And waited. And finally went back to strike headquarters alone. Later she found out that not only had the Hotel Belmont staff not participated in the strike; her two associates had been arrested.

 

The two men walked into the Palm room of the hotel and then started to call about them the waiters in the room. They told the waiters who they were and asked that they all ‘get together’ and call a general strike. Instead they called police.

 

Closure of the Hotel Belmont

 

Two decades after the Hotel Belmont's doors were opened, they were closed. On May 3, 1930 it “Passed into the ranks of the immortals among the famous hostelries of Manhattan,” said The New York Times the following day:

 

“The hotel, for twenty-three years a

landmark of the Grand Central zone,

ended its career quietly and without

ceremony.”

 

The wealthy full-time residents had been told of the closing just a week earlier. At noon on the last day, they gathered in the main dining room for the last meal served in the grand space. It was a solemn luncheon, prepared by Pierre Camin, chef, and served under the direction of Joseph Parkes, the maitre d'hôtel.

 

Within weeks the furniture, chandeliers, carpets, fireplaces and other decorative and utilitarian items of the hotel were sold at auction. Among the items was “The historic, rather quaint bar,” as described by The New York Times on June 19, 1930.

 

In the days of Art Deco skyscrapers and streamlined, jazz age décor, Edwardian decoration was ill-regarded. The heavy bar brought a bid of $2. To up the price, auctioneer James P. Silo placed "A gin bottle, a seltzer bottle and two drinking glasses” on the bar. The Times said:

 

“They stood in full view, where thousands

of other bottles and glasses had stood -

not so very long ago.”

 

The move brought a second bid - $27. Silo brought down the hammer and Irving Finn of the Bronx had purchased the striking relic. “Mr. Finn said he would present the bar to a friend who owns a home in the country,” said the newspaper.

 

Rumours were rampant regarding the site. On August 30, 1930 it was reported that the city’s tallest office building would replace the hotel. But demolition did not begin until April 1931. Newspapers repeatedly spoke of the proposed 60-story office building, until July 1931 when The Times ran a headline “Abandon Plan for Skyscraper on Site of Hotel Belmont.”

 

The hotel sat vacant and silent for three more years. The building that replaced it survived until the 1982 Philip Morris Building took its place, designed by Ulrich Franzen & Associates'.

Two names you go by:

1. Enriqueta

2. Master

 

Two things you are wearing right now:

1. MY Dr Martens that I finally got that weirdo of Dolores to take off..

2. some old rags that mother made me wear today. Sigh.

 

Two things you want right now very badly:

1. my busy bee rider bike! vroom! vroom!

2. new clothes, of course.

 

Last two people you talked to on the phone:

1. my friend Toni in NJ. We talked for hours! But mom just grounded me for that, she said next time we have to use Skype or something.

2. (I guess she doesn't know I was on the phone with all my Ebony relatives from all over the world... You think she will freak when she finds out?)

 

Two things you did last night:

1. Ate some potato chips and watched my fave show on tv.

2. Then I played with Peter, the dog. But I can't find him now... have you seem him?

 

Two things you are doing tomorrow:

1. I am going to keep stalking ebay for that cool biker jacket I saw on some dumb new girl..

2. maybe talk on the phone a little more? :) kidding, mom!

 

Two favorite drinks:

1. Peruvian lemonade! (Suedehead: fyi, she means pisco sour, and no, she's not allowed to drink it)

2. coffee! the espresso kind, not that other stuff some people drink .. ew.

 

Two random facts:

1. I was here first and I am entitled to all privileges. That's how I greet my new sisters.

2. I am going to get a tattoo :)

Suedehead: no, she's not! >:(

City of Garland Animal Shelter

600 Tower Street

Garland, TX 75040

Tel # 972-205-3570 ext 2 then ext 4

This is for my mom(inay). I really miss her.

 

She's my ultimate idol. She embraced her role as a single parent to raise us after my father passed away, I was 2 then. A tough and one of a kind superwoman!

 

I'm excited to see her soon.

   

.

Abused, Abandoned Jungle Dogs.

Nikon D300 DX Camera.

Nikkor 70-300 VR Lens.

.

7AM, Tuesday, October 29th 2013.

.

Back Story ...........................

.

Was woken up at 3:27AM by a warm muzzle gently touching my arm. Mr WeeNee was trying to tell me something important !

For a minute or two I just laid there listening to the rain pound the roof. Big wind and rain outside which is nothing new so what's up with Mr WeeNee ?

Sat up and surveyed the bedroom, ah, fans aren't moving, porch light is off. Good for Mr WeeNee telling me the power is off and to get up and fix it, I did...;-).

.

5:30 came all to quickly, pulled my old bones out of bed and started getting ready for the run out to feed the jungle dogs.

Food was all prepared yesterday, camera gear was packed so I'm good to go.

Seems as if something was missing but couldn't quite put my finger on it.

D300 had the 70-300 VR lens on board so I put the 50mm 1.8 in the bag along with the SB800 flashgun. Figured that would take care of today's job.

.

Mounted the trusty little 125cc Honda and away I went. Hhmm, Ground is soaked, sky is dark gray but no rain, no problem-o.

.

Lately the tourists have been showing up so the plan was to feed Mama-san 2 then skip over to the other side and feed the rest of the crew. Shoot some monkeys while the 70-300 is mounted then go back to shoot the babies. Easy deal, just change the lens to the 50mm, reset the camera and crawl under the building.

All went well until I was ready to get down and dirty under the giant decaying building. Spun the belt around to retrieve the flashlight and guess what ? It wasn't there ! Aaahhhh, !!! ... So today there is no puppy photos..;-(

.

In their place is this mornings shot of Mr Leroy, formally known as Mr Stupid Dog.

 

And here's a side story about Leroy..

 

Sunday a friend from Bulgaria went out early in the morning to watch what I do. He's a world traveler and has followed my flickr adventures for a long long time.

We went all the way up to the giant Buddha with Leroy leading the way doing his job chasing the monkeys away. Leroy was so excited to help us all the way up and all the way back down.

.

So this morning while going over to feed the crew on the other side I could see Mr Tuff Guy and his girlfriend interacting with a bus load of tourists. That means getting food from them while chasing off the monkeys that were trying to grab their goodies.

Spotted Mr Leroy all by himself well away from Mr Tuff Guy laying semi hidden from sight. But as soon as he saw me his one good ear was standing straight up and his tail was wagging.

.

Made a decision and it was a good decision cuz Mr Leroy had done an excellent job a couple days ago. Opened the bag and presented it to Leroy, he was so excited as he chowed down everybody's food rations all by himself. Stood next to him until he had finished so no monkeys would try to grab his stuff, and they didn't . Monkeys were busy with the bus loads of tourists as was the other dogs, all worked out well.

Alright, already told ya about not going under the building to shoot puppies so the next move is to climb back on the scooter and head home. Sun is starting to show face and the ride was going well.

Halfway home, pulled up to the red light at a busy intersection. First in line with trucks/cars off to the right waiting as well. Out of nowhere seconds before the light was about to turn green a cop on a bike pulls sideways right in front of me blocking any forward motion.He had on spit shined boots, ass hole sun glasses, radio and sidearm in his belt with a tight lipped smile. Not good !

I know the drill in 3rd world countries when this happens.First a hand full of options raced through my brain.Took less than a second cuz the list was short.

His right hand came up gesturing with his pointing finger to pull my bike over to the curb on my left.

Subconsciously my left foot slid the transmission into first gear but the handle bars stayed pointing straight forward.

Right then another bike pulled up on my left and he too was blocked by the cops bike.Cop pointed again at the curb and the rider of said bike said something back at the cop.As the other bike pulled a hard left to the curb the cop started easing his way towards the curb as well. Light turned green and all traffic pulled forward, including me...;-)

Watched my mirrors and nobody came chasing after me, so that means all is good, just keep going.

.

Once my spacecraft landed safe and sound Mr WeeNee, The Worm and Little Black Stone were all jumping, yelling, growling, yahooing, barking and in general going nuts.......;-)

.

Thank You All So Much.

Your words and donations

are greatly appreciated ;-)-

 

Jon&Crew

 

Please help with your donations here.

www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-abandoned-thai-temple-dogs

  

Please,

No Political Statements, Awards, Invites,

Large Logos, Copy/Pastes or 2nd World.

***** No Invite Codes *****

© All rights reserved.

 

.

A black & white study.

An early morning (5.55am) at The 12 Apostles, on The Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell, Victoria.

Light rain and mist.

 

Nikon D300S with Nikon 18 - 135mm, Filter and tripod.

Settings: 20 seconds f/11.0 ISO200 32m

Processed: Lightroom 4, DxO Film Pack 4, Colour Efex 3, Silver Efex Pro and Viveza 2.

 

Then enlarged by PhotoZoom Pro to 1.2 GB.

 

© Tom Crossan Photography.

© All rights reserved. You may not use this photo in website, blog or any other media without my explicit permission.

Please do contact me if you wish to use any of my images.

Burlington Northern C30-7 number 5105 leads 2 then new EMD SD60M’s and an SD40-2 on coal train QQ050 at Pleasant Valley, Texas in March, 1993.

There is an expression people use about knowing your onions.

 

Well I've been doing a bit of research and the same applies to bananas. So here is what I have found out about bananas in Tanzania to help you ' know your bananas'.

 

There are about 30 species of bananas grown in the Karatu area of Tanzania They fall into 3 categories by colour - yellow , green and red and a further 3 categories regarding their purpose as follows :

 

1) There are bananas for eating (as fruit) like these in the fruit market at Mto Wambu. Notice they are smaller and fatter than the bananas we generally get in the UK which come from the West Indies and the Americas ( and which are mostly of the Cavendish Variety from Chatsworth - as Ken explains www.flickr.com/photos/kdphotos/9059894360/in/photolist-)

Eating bananas are usually yellow when ripe but there is a red variety which is sweeter and has creamier flesh which is also widely available in Tanzania too.

 

2) Then there are cooking bananas which aren't very sweet called, Matoke , They are harvested green and have a high starch content ( like plantains which are of Asian origin) mostly used as a vegetable. Surprisingly nice.

 

3) Special bananas like those in the previous shot and which I shall explain a bit more about later. These are for drinking !

 

see www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBR-sZYdsSA for a more detailed account the banana bit starts about 1:30 in

This was shot on the last day of "rising" before the "shine" at 3am to catch the light with my Palm beach Photographic Centre's workshop with the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody Wyoming.

  

Image wast taken with a D4s with a 80-400mm Nano coated VR lens, 3200iso recorded to a 128GB Lexar flash card used post processing with Capture NX 2 then Photoshop CC and Nik Colorefex 4.0.

  

#NikonAmbassador #PBPW #lexar #induro #D4s #centerofthewest #niksoftware #kelbyone

Taken with a Coronado PST, 2x Barlow and Canon 1100D

ISO-800 1/200 sec exp

 

Best 72% of 70 frames stacked in Autostakkert!2 then processed in Lightroom and Focus Magic

The compact stereobase setting allows for fantastic macro shooting. The micro size of the cameras allow for this close setting previously unheard of for a pair of cameras. And reverse mounting is possible for a stereobase ready for an ant colony.

 

Cross view this photo to see the 3D.

 

Step 1 - Cross your eyes until you see 4 images instead of 2.

 

Step 2 - Then relax your view so the images move together and you see only 3 images.

 

Step 3 - When you see 3 images stop changing your focus and you will see the center image is 3D.

 

Optional - 4th step - You can also raise your hands to the sides of your eyes to block out the 2 outer images so you only see the center one in 3D!

 

Oh yeah, one more thing... you should be about 2 or 3 feet from the screen and if you are having trouble move closer or farther from the screen, sometimes that helps.

 

Enjoy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please note this “story” is a parody and is in no way connected to Vivitar or LEGO brands.

 

It is always best to start at the beginning.

… click here

 

I took this with my Fujifilm X-T1 and Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 at f/2. Then I used the wifi to transmit it to my iPhone for a VSCO film conversion. I love the tones in this image.

 

Processed with VSCOcam with hb1 preset

GARRETT NILS ATKINSON, a southpaw reliever at Whitman College, at Seattle Mariner's stadium. Count goes 0-1, 1-1, 1-2, then the K (strike 3). Garrett's mouth opens during release (his signature move since being a small boy). Garrett collects first strike against the next batter before video ends.

 

Garrett finished with the regular season 2-1, with a 1.96 ERA, finished with 26 strikeouts in 23 innings, the only Whitman pitcher averaging more than one K (strikeout) per inning out of 15 pitchers--and allowed only singles--opposing hitters averaged just .122 hitting against him. Only one run scored on him while he was pitching...Garrett was selected for the All-Northwest Conference Baseball squad, comprising the best players from the 9 NWC teams.

 

Garrett--just graduated summa cum laude--from Whitman with a BA in Economics--3.93 GPA. Also he is:

 

--winner of the sole Robert M. Graham Award for Excellence in Student Leadership, 2017;

 

--winner of the sole President's Award for Senior Student-Athlete with Highest Cumulative GPA at Whitman;

 

--winner of the sole Max Seachris Award, Most Outstanding Performer on a Men's Team;

 

--a Graduate Member of the Order of Waiilatpu (best seniors in scholarship, enterprise, citizenship, and service to the college and community).

 

--and winner of the Bob Thomsen Award (Sportsmanship).

 

Bittersweet times for Dad, the season ended April 15, 2017, marking the end of a storied 17-year career for Garrett that began all the way back at Cedar Field in old-section Marysville, WA; barely out of T-ball, at about age 7, Garrett made his first appearance, "out on the hill."

 

In his earlier years, Garrett played on select baseball clubs, including Stoddard's Sting and the Seattle Stars (coach Guy Keller), as well as on Arlington American Legion 76ers and a variety of other squads. He also started at quarterback for the Marysville Jaguars (Greater Snohomish County Youth Football) in 2004-2005, hitting 16 of 35 passes for 395 yards and 4 TDs, with a single interception, in the 2005 season. He also played basketball for six years, and, like his brother Odin, was on the Arlington High cross-country team.

 

During his time, he was also President of the Whitman College Chess Club and of two other college clubs. Garrett, in early 2018, went to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, undergoing Basic Training in the U.S. Army. At graduation, he began AIT training as an E4 specialist, in late March, 2018. At completion of AIT training, in late June, Garrett joined Grant-Thornton, a management consulting firm, as a management consultant; his core customer, and where he spent most of his time, was MICROSOFT. Microsoft successfully recruited him, and he joined the firm in March 2020--as a Business Program Manager.

 

This video taken at Safeco Field (Mariner's Stadium), Seattle, KING COUNTY, WA, March 11, 2017.

  

This is a 64-pounder Columbiad canon. It is referred to as number 137 (each of the 155 cannons in the fort were numbered). Each of the cannoneers is also referred to by number, and each has a specific set of tasks to perform.

 

Number 1 (TJ) is positioned on the right side at the muzzle. His job is to use a wet sponge to swab out the barrel. Then, after the powder charge is inserted he rams it down the barrel to the breach. When Number 5 (the gunner in charge of the piece) calls “Point”, Numbers 1 and 2 then take large wooden leavers to the tail end of the carriage in order to swing the gun left or right to aim it at its target, then return to their post. After the gun is fired, Number 1 again swabs out the barrel with a wet sponge to extinguish any remaining sparks and then uses a worm to remove any remnants of the powder bag that might still be in the barrel.

 

Number 2 (me) is positioned on the left side at the muzzle. His job is to assist Number 1 with the wet sponge, because on a cannon this big it take a lot of effort to ram the tight-fitting sponge down the barrel, rotate it three time each direction, and then withdraw it. Next, he dismounts and takes the powder charge from Number 4. After Number 1 signals he is ready by tapping the ram rod on the end of the barrel, Number 2 loads the powder charge into the end of the cannon’s mouth. When Number 5 (the gunner in charge of the piece) calls “Point”, Numbers 1 and 2 then take large wooden leavers to the tail end of the carriage in order to swing the gun left or right to aim it at its target, then return to their post. After the weapon is fired, he again mounts the carriage and assists Number 1 with the wet sponge. (For this demonstration, I was at position Number 2. My back is to the camera as I climb up to help swab the barrel, and then I dismount. If you look carefully just after you hear the photographer say “OK”, you can see me insert the silver-colored powder charge in the muzzle of the cannon and then TJ at Number 1 rams it home.)

 

Number 3 (John) is positioned on the right side at the breach. His primary function is to pull the lanyard attached to the friction primer to fire the cannon.

 

Number 4 (Wes) is positioned on the left side at the breach. He brings up the powder charge from the magazine and hands it to Number 2 prior to loading. At the command “Point”, Number 4 adjusts the elevating screw at the breach of the cannon barrel to raise or lower the trajectory so the ball will hit the intended target and not go long or short.

 

Number 5 (Park Employee) is the gunner in charge of the cannon. He is positioned at the center rear of the cannon and calls out the orders to “load”, “point”, and “fire”. While others are swabbing the barrel or loading the piece he keeps the vent at the breach blocked to prevent any air from being sucked into the cannon (possibly fanning any embers there may be in there). After the powder charge has been rammed down, Number 5 inserts a priming pick into the vent to puncture the powder bag and expose the powder to the primer. He then inserts a friction primer into the breach; attaches the end of the lanyard held by Number 3, and then dismounts. He stands to the rear and to the side where is out of the way of the recoil and can observe the fall of the shot in order to correct his aim on any successive shots.

 

Day 3: Cable car from Ortisei to Seceda. Route 2B / 2/ 3A to Rif. Puez. Route 2 then 4 to Colfosco. (Everyone except me, Jim and Chris went up to Piz Duleda).

23 Dec 1986, Tue (Detroit, MI to Belvidere, NJ)

Woke at 5.45 and was down in lobby around 6.30. Got stuffed around with bill (had understood we were to get a free night) then the hotel car was late. Anyway, made it to the airport in time to catch 8.15 flight to Newark. By the time we took off we were about 15 mins late. Arrived and after waiting for luggage a good 20-30 minutes, we just caught a bus to Easton, Pennsylvania. On arrival, contacted Mr Ott (Howard) who picked us up. Howard and Jane are really lovely people and much saddened by Cynthia’s death. A lot of memories came back for Peter especially after going up to her apartment. They have a big lovely old house.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

24 Dec 1986, Wed (Belvidere, NJ)

Christmas Eve a pretty grey day. Berk, the Ott’s son arrived during the night. We went for a walk downtown and wandered around. It just does not seem like Christmas at all. In the afternoon, Mrs Ott took us to the local Wayne County library and got a very interesting tour from one of the head honchos. I think that libraries have the same hassles all over the world, lack of space, etc. Got back in time to walk up the road 2 minutes to St Patrick’s Catholic Church for Mass at 4.00. Smallish church – Irish priest, it was pretty disappointing. We stood up the back, about the only Christmas flavour were a couple of carols sung half-heartedly. Went to the Presbyterian service at 8.00 with the Otts and came home to an oyster casserole.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

25 Dec 1986, Thu (Belvidere, NJ)

Christmas Day, another very grey day. Got up about 9.00. Had a light breakfast and we all opened our presents in the living room. The Otts gave us some blue statues. Did washing, helped with lunch. With rellies, there were ten of us for lunch, pork and venison and pumpkin pie. Lounged till around 4.00. Mr Ott took his mum-in-law (Mrs Evelyn Wieghorst) home so on the way we got to check out the local museum, and she invited us into her home which she and her husband (John) built from materials on their land. Had a nice evening talking and watching TV. We talked more of Cynthia and I think it was good to talk things about, rather than keep it inside.

Howard and Jane Ott, 300 Greenwich Road, Belvidere, NJ

 

26 Dec 1986, Fri (Belvidere, NJ to New York City)

Mr and Mrs Ott drove us into Hackettstown, NJ to catch the bus to NYC. Arrived to be ripped off by a guy who took us 100 yards to a taxi and asked for $2, then a taxi, $3 for 500 yards up the road to the Milford Plaza. Checked in and took a walk looking for the Jewish 47th Street Photo store (at first on 42nd St). Found it then continued to 89th along Central Park to find Angela Willis. She was not home (50 E 98 St #14B) so left message there and at hospital. Caught taxi to Wall St ($10) – toured Stock Exchange, had a street hamburger. Caught subway from World Trade Center back to town. Got half tix for ‘42nd Street’. Dined in a steak house. Walked back to hotel and changed room due to noisy lift and went to show just around the corner. Pretty good! Went for a walk.

Milford Plaza Hotel, 270 West 45th Street, New York, NY

 

27 Dec 1986, Sat (New York City)

Angela Willis rang at 8am and suggested some places to visit. After making some phone calls re hotel reservations and flights we caught the subway and subsequent ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Packed with people. Came back and walked to World Trade Center, waited in another queue to see the spectacular views of this concrete jungle, hardly a tree to be seen! Caught subway back to Times Square and had lunch at 3.00 at Wendy’s (chilli). Walked down to Sax of 5th Avenue. Peter bought scarf for his mum. Saw a slide and sound presentation “The NY Experience” in the McGraw-Hill Building. Good but dated. Had tea at Tony R. Ribs pretty good but filling. Went back to hotel and wrote some postcards, then walked back to see 10.20 session of “Crocodile Dundee”.

Milford Plaza Hotel, 270 West 45th Street, New York, NY