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As the great eye of heaven shined bright,
And made a sunshine in the shady place.
Edmund Spenser
Texture www.flickr.com/photos/8078381@N03/2894127971/in/set-72157...
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Use without permission is illegal.
Have a sunshiny Sunday !
After the first-ever deployment in Africa of an ‘unmanned aerial vehicle’ – a drone – by the Red Cross Red Crescent, footage from northern Uganda has revealed that a swathe of countryside is gradually turning into a vast refugee camp as hundreds of people every day cross the border from South Sudan. On one day alone, 8 September, the day the Red Cross drone video was shot, 4,373 new refugees crossed the border into Uganda, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which said (on 16 September 2016) the total of South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries had passed the 1 million mark. The Bidibidi reception centre in Uganda’s Yumbe district, where many refugees are being initially registered, is some 300 km north of Kampala. Just over a month after it opened the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) put at 57,900 the number of refugees who have passed through the centre, from where the drone was deployed by URCS and Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre camera operator, Denis Onyodi. The IFRC on 29 August launched an emergency appeal for nearly 700,000 US dollars to support the URCS in assisting 40,000 refugees over the next six months with safe water, sanitation, hygiene measures, emergency shelter, and health care. URCS volunteers are assisting with the registration of new arrivals, who come in on UNHCR buses and then disperse into the surrounding countryside, now seen from the air for the first time. They are also operating a treatment plant to produce safe drinking-water, and working to raise awareness of hygiene and sanitation – crucial in maintaining good health for the refugees. The ‘DJI Phantom 4’ drone used by the URCS to document its work in Bidibidi was supplied by the Climate Centre as part of its forecast-based financing (FbF) programme for large-scale climate-related disasters in Africa supported by the German Red Cross and foreign ministry. It was on its first proving flight and is now intended to be deployed from its base in Kampala elsewhere in Africa and beyond on FbF and climate-related emergencies. FbF’s global launch by the Movement was in Uganda last November when URCS volunteers distributed 5,000 relief items to flood-prone communities in Kapelebyong sub-county after forecasts of rising water-levels reached a predetermined threshold of risk. (Photo: Denis Onyodi/Uganda Red Cross-Climate Centre)
Greetings mate! As many of you know, I love marrying art, science, and math in my fine art portrait and landscape photography!
The gold 45 revolver lingerie is designed in accordance with the golden ratio! More about the design and my philosophy of "no retouching" on the beautiful goddesses in my new book:
www.facebook.com/Photographing-Women-Models-Portrait-Swim...
"Photographing Women Models: Portrait, Swimsuit, Lingerie, Boudoir, Fine Art, & Fashion Photography Exalting the Venus Goddess Archetype"
If you would like a free review copy, message me!
And here's more on the golden ratio which appears in many of my landscape and portrait photographs (while shaping the proportions of the golden gun)!
www.facebook.com/goldennumberratio/
'
The dx4/dt=ic above the gun on the lingerie derives from my new physics books devoted to Light, Time, Dimension Theory!
www.facebook.com/lightimedimensiontheory/
Thanks for being a fan! Would love to hears your thoughts on my philosophies and books! :)
http:/instagram.com/elliotmcgucken
instagram.com/goldennumberratio
Beautiful swimsuit bikini model goddess!
Golden Ratio Lingerie Model Goddess LTD Theory Lingerie dx4/dt=ic! The Birth of Venus, Athena, and Artemis! Girls and Guns!
Would you like to see the whole set? Comment below and let me know!
Follow me!
I am working on several books on "epic photography," and I recently finished a related one titled: The Golden Number Ratio Principle: Why the Fibonacci Numbers Exalt Beauty and How to Create PHI Compositions in Art, Design, & Photography: An Artistic and Scientific Introduction to the Golden Mean . Message me on facebook for a free review copy!
www.facebook.com/goldennumberratio/
The Golden Ratio informs a lot of my art and photographic composition. The Golden Ratio also informs the design of the golden revolver on all the swimsuits and lingerie, as well as the 45surf logo! Not so long ago, I came up with the Golden Ratio Principle which describes why The Golden Ratio is so beautiful.
The Golden Number Ratio Principle: Dr. E’s Golden Ratio Principle: The golden ratio exalts beauty because the number is a characteristic of the mathematically and physically most efficient manners of growth and distribution, on both evolutionary and purely physical levels. The golden ratio ensures that the proportions and structure of that which came before provide the proportions and structure of that which comes after. Robust, ordered growth is naturally associated with health and beauty, and thus we evolved to perceive the golden ratio harmonies as inherently beautiful, as we saw and felt their presence in all vital growth and life—in the salient features and proportions of humans and nature alike, from the distribution of our facial features and bones to the arrangements of petals, leaves, and sunflowers seeds. As ratios between Fibonacci Numbers offer the closest whole-number approximations to the golden ratio, and as seeds, cells, leaves, bones, and other physical entities appear in whole numbers, the Fibonacci Numbers oft appear in nature’s elements as “growth’s numbers.” From the dawn of time, humanity sought to salute their gods in art and temples exalting the same proportion by which all their vital sustenance and they themselves had been created—the golden ratio.
The Birth of Venus! Beautiful Golden Ratio Swimsuit Bikini Model Goddess! Helen of Troy! She was tall, thin, fit, and quite pretty!
Read all about how classical art such as The Birth of Venus inspires all my photography!
www.facebook.com/Photographing-Women-Models-Portrait-Swim...
"Photographing Women Models: Portrait, Swimsuit, Lingerie, Boudoir, Fine Art, & Fashion Photography Exalting the Venus Goddess Archetype"
Enjoy my new fine art landscapes & ballet video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3b1df46oKw
Let me know what you think! :)
Captain Charles Fitzgerald, born Kilkee 1791 (the son of a country gentleman of the old Irish school. (Fathers name Robert) was Governor of Gambia 1844 to 1847 also Governor of Western Australia from 1848 to 1855. He is buried at Killfearagh graveyard on the Carrighaholt Rd. Outside of Kilkee. (Protestant side)
Captain Charles Fitzgerald spent his retirement years in Kilkee and was noted in the press for attendance at meetings in support of establishing the West Clare Railway.
In 1857 Captain FitzGerald was appointed C.B., and retired to his home, Geraldine House. Geraldine place. Kilkee, where he died aged 96 on 29 December 1887.
Twice married: first on the 5/5/1837 to Lucy (died 18 NOV 1843), youngest daughter of Dr Austin, and second in 1848 to Eleanora Caroline, (ELVES ELONORA CAROLINE ARABELLA) known as Ellen, eldest daughter of Charles Carey Elwes, of Billing Hall and sister of Valentine Dudley Henry Cary-Elwes Esq. The Elwes were a prominent Northamptonshire family. (The actor Cary Elwes is a descendent of Valentine Cary-Elwes)
ELEANOR CAROLINE ARABELLA FITZGERALD DIED EARLY 1890 AGED 62.
Captain Charles Fitzgerald had two children, neither married.
I recently found a book signed by Eleanora FitzGerald (nee Elwes) from Geraldine House Kilkee. The name of the book was The Modern housewife by Alexis Soyer dated 1849.
Captain Charles’s father was Robert Fitzgerald who died in Kilkee in 1806 aged 63. Robert is buried in Kiltinnaun Bansha near Kilkee (I think his wife was Lucy who died in 1836 at Kilkee house Kilrush)
Roberts father was Edmund Fitzgerald of Abbeyfeale, county Limerick who married Margaret Keane(Her father was Charles Keane of Kildimo: son of "Robert of Ross/near Kilkee)
Captain Charles Fitzgerald’s ancestors can be traced back to Ballymaloe Imokilly Cloyne County cork in the 15 Cent. He was a distant relative of the Duke of Leinster.
Capt Charles had two brothers Robert Fitzgerald Esq. of Kilkee and George Fitzgerald of Kilkee. Robert Fitzgerald's grandson Henry Boyd Fitzgerald was last recorded living in Brighton Square Dublin in 1919. I found very little evidence recorded of Roberts other grandsons James Charles and William of Castleblaney.
Capt Charles fitzgerald's Sister Alicia married a Frank Leyden of liverpool in 1841.
This article was first published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, (MUP), 1966
Charles FitzGerald (1791-1887), governor, was the son of Robert FitzGerald of Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland, and a cadet of the ducal house of Leinster. He entered the navy in March 1809, passed his examination in 1815, and was first commissioned in March 1826. He served for a time as a lieutenant in the coastguard, and in 1833-36 commanded first the Cruiser and then theBelvidera on the North American and West Indian Stations. In 1838 he was sent in command of the Buzzard to the west coast of Africa to help suppress the slave trade, and served there with distinction. He was invalided home in 1840, promoted commander, and placed on half pay.
In 1844 FitzGerald was appointed lieutenant-governor of the British settlements on the Gambia. It was a comparatively quiet post, and the only significant event during his administration was an imbroglio in the higher public service, during which the governor suspended his chief justice,(Sir) Richard Graves MacDonnell, who later succeeded him as governor, and still later served as governor of South Australia. FitzGerald returned to England in 1847 and in July was appointed governor of Western Australia in succession to Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Clarke. However, FitzGerald insisted on taking the leave accruing to him from his Gambia appointment, and thus did not arrive in Western Australia until 12 August 1848. He was then 57, and twice married: first in 1837 to Lucy, youngest daughter of Dr Austin, and second in 1848 to Eleanora Caroline, daughter of Charles Elwes, of Great Billing, Northamptonshire.
On arrival in the colony FitzGerald found the local Treasury almost empty and a general despondency hanging over the pastoralists and farmers, nearly all of whom were thoroughly dissatisfied with the high price of crown land, the lack of labour and the interim administration of Colonel Frederick Irwin and his colonial secretary, George Moore. There were fewer than 5000 people in the whole colony. Neither workmen nor capitalists had been attracted to it for many years, and the colonists had already petitioned for convicts to be sent from Britain. FitzGerald was instructed to inquire whether the colonists would accept a small number of well-behaved convicts from Pentonville; after confirming that they would be welcome, he informed Earl Grey in London, who quickly instigated an Order in Council in May 1849 to convert Western Australia into a penal colony. The British government promised to send out as many free immigrants as convicts.
The first two ships carrying convicts arrived at Fremantle in 1850, and thereafter the colony received about three shiploads of felons a year, though their arrival was very irregular and no advance notice of either dates or numbers was given to the colonial authorities. The result was an alternation of surfeits and deficits in the supply of labour. By the end of 1855, the year in which FitzGerald retired, 3668 convicts had arrived in Western Australia, nearly half of them already holding tickets-of-leave entitling them to seek private employment and to be paid wages; if employers were not prepared to take them, they were employed by the government on public works at below-market wages. During these five years FitzGerald was not responsible for the day-to-day administration of the convict system, which was in the competent hands of Captain E. Y. W. Henderson, R.E., and his subordinate officers. However, inasmuch as FitzGerald was responsible for general policy, he had some control over the methods used to employ and to discipline the men, and he acquired the reputation of being at once autocratic, kind-hearted and humane. With more interest in the quick and efficient dispersal of convicts throughout the colony's rural districts than in the construction of a plethora of cheap public works, he adopted a country depot system to help private employers to engage the men. The remaining convicts were employed in building the Fremantle gaol and on other ancillary works. Although the labour supply for public works was never high, FitzGerald was able to claim credit for several notable improvements, especially the new roads from Perth to Fremantle, Guildford and Albany; he also used Aboriginal prisoners on the Perth-Albany project. Other notable improvements around Perth included the draining of several swamps and the erection of the first buildings specifically for use as a hospital and government schools.
During FitzGerald's administration the population of Western Australia nearly trebled, reaching 12,000, of whom about 3000 were convicts under sentence. Although the British government honoured its promise to send out assisted free immigrants, the colonists were not especially pleased with the quality of the English paupers and single Irish girls who were dispatched to counter an alarming decrease in the proportion of women in the colony. Furthermore, most free migrants to the Australian colonies had by-passed Albany and other western ports on their way to the Victorian and New South Wales goldfields. However, there had been little serious crime among the convicts, while the free immigrants had been readily absorbed into the community and the Irish girls showed no reluctance to marry the ex-convicts.
At the same time the economy of the colony benefited greatly from the increased imperial expenditure and the rising population. The fertile lands north of the Moore River in the vicinity of Champion Bay were settled by pastoralists taking advantage of the increased local market for meat and agricultural produce. After his arrival FitzGerald had strongly supported exploration of this district; on a tour of inspection in 1848 he was speared in the leg by Aboriginals and was fortunate to escape with his life. Wool production also improved in the early 1850s, pearl fishing began at Shark Bay, and a little lead was mined at Geraldine on the Murchison north of Geraldton, both place-names commemorating the governor. On the whole, therefore, the colony had recovered from its twenty years of economic depression, and the changing temper of the settlers, as well as the improvements in trade and commerce, confirmed the permanency of the colony.
FitzGerald's autocratic quarter-deck manner did not endear him to the leading settlers, who had been soured by long years of stagnation and were bent on gaining the greatest possible representation and power in the Legislative Council, as well as the quickest possible benefit from convict labour. They had always found Downing Street control of their public finances and land policy extremely galling, and orders from London were not at all palatable when coming from a salty ship's captain, who had been turned into a sort of schoolmaster, and who was more acquainted with giving orders than with receiving advice, especially from a highly critical and frequently intemperate local press.
FitzGerald appeased the opposition a little by appointing non-officials to the Council but by the very nature of the colony he had to remain an autocratic dispenser of his employer's policies. He was also a little unfortunate in his subordinates. With the important post of colonial secretary filled by three different men during his administration, FitzGerald had to intrude into too many petty affairs of government. Nor was he well served in the matter of government finance, which was also unfortunate because he had little business acumen. Any judgment on his abilities as an administrator and on his rather modest and unostentatious achievements must also be tempered by the fact that he governed the most insignificant Australian colony at the time of its greatest depression, and when its acceptance of convict labour was totally at variance with the policies of the other colonies. The critics of Western Australia were legion.
While FitzGerald performed with credit and social aplomb the many minor duties of his office, his young and attractive wife conducted a vigorous social programme revolving around Government House. She excelled at the opening of charity bazaars. She superintended an Anglican Sunday school, and she helped to organize a school for immigrant children. Her stay in Western Australia was probably the highlight of her life. Early in 1854 her husband was informed that his term of office was drawing to a close; in November his successor was appointed, and the FitzGeralds left Western Australia in July 1855.
Captain FitzGerald was probably thankful to be relieved of responsibility for governing a colony which daily became more penal, because he had always maintained that although the immediate economic effects of convict transportation were beneficial, its continuance would keep out the men and capital who alone could make it prosper. Such, indeed, was the tenor of his evidence to a select committee of the House of Lords, which in June 1856 examined him on his administration. In 1857 Captain FitzGerald was appointed C.B., and retired to his home, Geraldine House, Kilkee, where he died on 29 December 1887.
As much as we'd like to think we own this world, we're just borrowing it. When we get bored and abandon an area, the wild reclaims it. Taken at the Parkland Walk North near Muswell Hill.
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of America.
Tennessee known as the Volunteer State, has many symbols.
The tulip poplar was designated as the official state tree of Tennessee
Tennessee has two state flowers. The Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is the state's wildflower and the iris is the state's cultivated flower.
Tennessee has played a critical role in the development of many forms of American popular music, including rock and roll, blues, country music, and rockabilly.
Tennessee has nine official state songs
1. My Homeland, Tennessee, by Nell Grayson Taylor (words) and Roy Lamont Smith (music)
2. When It's Iris Time in Tennessee, by Willa Waid Newman
3. My Tennessee, by Frances Hannah Tranum, is the state's official public school song
4. Tennessee Waltz, by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King
5. Rocky Top, by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
6. Tennessee, by Vivian Rorie
7. The Pride of Tennessee, by Fred Congdon, Thomas Vaughn and Carol Elliot
8. Smoky Mountain Rain, a song written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan that became a hit for Ronnie Milsap, was added to the list of state songs
9. Tennessee, written by John R. Bean of Knoxville
For more information about visiting Tennessee
Tennessee trip:
After breakfast, we will travel into the state of Tennessee to take a ride on the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the evening, we will travel to Pigeon Forge, TN to the famous dinner show, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, where we will enjoy some real southern cuisine.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN
Great Smoky Mountains Park This 520,000-acre park on the eastern border of Tennessee is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage. It is the most-visited national park in the United States, and is renown for the beauty of its landscapes.
Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway The Tramway takes 120 passengers 2.1 miles up the Great Smoky Mountains. Large windows offer magnificent views of the area. At night, passengers can see the lighted visages of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge as well as the nearby parkway.
Pigeon Forge, TN
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede This Wild-West-Revue-type performance features animals such as pigs, horses, and chickens and is punctuated by a riding competition. The show starts an hour before dinner, with a musical act on the "Carriage Room" before guests are escorted into the arena.
In the morning, we will make our way to Chattanooga, TN and Lookout Mountain to see the Ruby Falls and Rock City. We will also take the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.
Chattanooga, TN
Ruby Falls The Ruby Falls are a naturally-occurring underground waterfall in the appropriately-named Ruby Falls Caverns not far from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They are located underneath Lookout Mountain and are adjacent to the Lookout Mountain Caverns, although not connected.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway The Incline Railway traces its history to 1895, when the a railway called "The Incline" opened to cart passengers to and from the peak of Lookout Mountain. It bills itself as one of the steepest railways worldwide.
Lookout Mountain This historic hilltop on the southern border of Tennessee has a colorful history as a place of importance during wartime. Most notably, it was the centerpiece of the Battle of Lookout Mountain during the American Civil War.
4-Day Tennessee, Smoky Mountain Tour from New York/New Jersey Tour Code: 272-227
Take Tours bus trip
Visit eight states:
New York - drive through with tour guide
New Jersey - drive through with tour guide
Pennsylvania - Welcome Center visit
Maryland - drive through with tour guide
West Virginia - Welcome Center visit
Virginia - USA
Tennessee - USA
Georgia - USA
For more info on 4-Day Tennessee, Smoky Mountain Tour from New York/New Jersey trip visit:
www.taketours.com/new-york-ny/4-day-tennessee-smoky-mount...
For more information on Take Tours visit:
Hashtag metadata tag
#Tennessee #Ten #Tenn #Tennessean #Chattanooga #Nashville #Memphis #South #Southern #TheSouth #TheSouthHasRisen #Country #Music #CountryMusic #VolunteerState #USState #state #states #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesofAmerica #America #American
Photo
Tennessee, United States of America, North America
June 13th 2014
It may be the weekend, but it doesn’t mean your fashion slacks off because of it. I think every woman should have a nice business outfit for that random interview, meeting, or just for fun. I love to embrace all forms and styles of fashion. This outfit is one that may land you the job, promotion, or a few potential clients who would love to work with you. Live, Laugh and Shop.
.♥.Alice Bates.♥.
www.facebook.com/alicemariebates
Outfit:
Truth Hair – Felicity
Chop Zuey – LW – Mercy Necklace Rosegold/Diamond
Maitreya – Gold Zest Pumps All Colors for Slink AV-Enhancement (high) feet
The Secret Store – Claire Peplum Blazer – Milk (Collabor88)
The Secret Store – Robin Pencil Skirt – Milk (Collabor88)
Zenith Bow Clutch 12 Colors
An art exhibit by Adam Parker Smith - As guilt, fascination and loyalty encroach, flawless heroines confront heart ache, fools distinguish beauty from the grotesque and the wretched mourn the loss of irreproachable purity.
As I approached the 'Free Mom Hugs' booth me and another mother spotted this mom walking past with her own share of hugs
Canadian Rock Power Trio
www.myspace.com/moeraesfateband
facebook: Moeraes Fate
Twitter: Moeraes Fate
Photo By MJ Stead
"I listen to a lot of music... She can sing!"
George Stroumboulopoulos. THE HOUR -CBC
AWARDS
2009 YOU DISCOVER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
SEE MOERAES FATE, formerly known as Dame LIVE AT NIAGARA FALLS ON NEW YEARS EVE
Awards previously won as Dame
2009 ONTARIO'S SEARCH FOR THE NEXT CUTTING EDGE ARTIST
2009 BRAMPTON ARTS ACCLAIM AWARDS OF THE YEAR
2009 METAL WORKS RECORDING AWARD
2008 TORONTO INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS
(Alternative Rock Band of the Year & Song of The Year)
2008 INDIE IN-TUNE MAGAZINE EDITORS CHOICE AWARDS
(All Female Act of The Year/Rock Act of The Year/Most Likely To Succeed)
2007 GARAGEBAND.COM "ALL TIME AWARDS (PROGRESSIVE ROCK)"
(Best Female Vocals/Best Bass/Best Lyrics)
2006 BRAMPTON'S BEST BAND
2006 BRAMPTON PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE
"This band can seriously lay down a groove and kick out some serious sound with ease. IF there is a young band out there today that can thrust women into the spotlight in the rock scene it will be MOERAES FATE, formerly known as Dame!"
Bob Donovan, www.indieintune.com
"For those of you who have not heard them live they are a rare gem who can bring the studio sound to the stage!!! I sat in the Russel Hotel many years ago and listened to a upcoming band called RUSH! This trio MOERAES FATE formerly known as DAME reminded me of that show where a young drummer stole the show and with great guitar and vocals and bass leads that rarely missed these girls are about to explode onto the scene with a fresh and new rock sound So it was said so it will be !! "
B Ringer Ascendant Productions
'I listened to "Intervention". Holy shit it rocks! I've been waiting for something like this. I think we all have.
Brodie(Flea Market Creep),Zahayna, Manitoba, Canada
'As far as I'm concerned their age and gender doesn't factor into the overall equation. They can play, sing, and write as good if not better than most acts in their musical genre. These guys(?) rock!"
Greg Godovitz. CFRB ROCK RADIO, founder of Goddo
As part of the programme for increasing train lengths and weights, the IWT Liner is expected to be increased to 27 wagons (54 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit [TEU]), up from the existing 18 wagons (36 TEU). The first trial of this was undertaken today, with NIR owned loco 8209 providing the power to the 2045 North Wall - Ballina liner.
Of note is that this is the longest train for many years out of North Wall, one of the heaviest and that 8209 is the wrong way round - this cab should be facing Dublin and the wagons
www.starnow.co.uk/christopherw33618
2016 Reel www.starnow.co.uk/media/623368
2015 Reel www.starnow.co.uk/media/500618
Crew CV <a crew.mandy.com/uk/crew/profile/chris-christopher-wilson
Sir Leslie Boreham, the former High Court judge, presided over two of the most sensational trials of the 1980s - of Peter Sutcliffe, the "Yorkshire Ripper", and of the "Brighton Bomber", Patrick Magee - but saw his sentences in these cases undermined by later events.
The trial in 1981 of Peter Sutcliffe on charges of murdering 13 women was remarkable for an unusual collaboration between Sutcliffe's defence counsel and the Attorney General, Sir Michael Havers, who accepted the view of doctors who had diagnosed Sutcliffe as a paranoid schizophrenic, and sought to have him placed immediately in a special hospital.
Sutcliffe had claimed that his attacks on women whom he believed were prostitutes were in direct response to instructions from God which he had heard emanating from a grave in Bingley cemetery.
Boreham insisted that the trial proceed, declaring that the jury should be the final arbiters of Sutcliffe's sanity. The jury found him sane, and guilty of all 13 murders as well as seven attempted murders. Boreham passed 20 sentences of life imprisonment and recommended that Sutcliffe should serve at least 30 years; "That is a long period," he told the defendant, "an unusually long period, but I believe you are an unusually dangerous man."
Just three years after his sentence began, Sutcliffe had to be moved from the top security wing at Parkhurst to Broadmoor Special Hospital, his mental stability having deteriorated to such a degree that psychiatric treatment was judged imperative. Sutcliffe is now legally insane.
As always, your likes, comments and feedback are much appreciated.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
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As One - a new work for the Royal Ballet from Jonathan Watkins. Taken at the dress rehearsal at the end of February 2010
As always many thanks to everyone who stops by and takes the time to look, like and comment on my pictures, it's much appreciated
Diesel locomotive T395 departs North Geelong. The T was operating a Steamrail work train from Ballarat to Newport as part of a recent working bee at the Steamrail Ballarat East depot.
29th January 2023.
As it has been said by others, primarily a couple TG webcomic creators out there, "The best lies are based upon truth."
For this one, I drew my inspiration off a picture from dj bridget that was up on flickr a while ago (no longer - you snooze, you lose - She's a bona-fide collector's item, I'm just one of several thousand copies of an over-produced common popular character that's still turning up on eBay, but not fetching much. ^_^;), where she was sporting a rather nice outfit, but showing off a look that could be best described as a "deer in the headlights" look - The look one of us has when they've been caught by someone who doesn't know they dress up.
And so, the story begins - For some of you, it happened when your significant other walked in on you. For some, maybe it was a roommate. For just about all of us somewhere around the beginning of this journey, it's been a family member, most likely your parents, who came home early, and caught you in the act of expressing your more beautiful side.
You got careless, complacent. You let down your guard. Perhaps it took you longer than you thought to get dolled up and ready. Or even worse still, plans changed or were canceled, and one (or both) of your parents came home early.
Perhaps it was the sound of the garage door opening that lulled you out of your moment. Or, even worse, you heard the front door, or the door from the garage into the family room open.
At that moment, you're wracked with an all-too-impending sense of fear. Your world is about to be turned upside down and inside out. If you had the power, you'd pray for time to stop. You'd give anything to have super-human speed, just to get out of your pretty outfit, hide the wig, the jewelry, scrub off the makeup, perhaps eradicate the fragrance you were wearing.
Alas, it's too late for you. You hear the footsteps down the hall, and the doorknob turn, or, if you didn't close your door all the way, it's starting to open, and you damn near twist your ankle trying to get to the door while still wearing your high heels, in a vain effort to hold it closed. But, it's too late.
The door opens...
You've been caught....
It's the nightmare you've dreaded. Your parents never knew, and you're at a loss for words to explain...
The familiar feelings of shame and guilt are building up inside of you...
A look of shock, non-comprehension, a lack of understanding.
"What the?! ________, what are you DOING?! WHY are you dressed up like THAT?!"
"HOW LONG have you been doing this?! A year? Two years? Longer?!"
"What if... What if the neighbors found out?! Oh, if your dad knew about this, it would just kill him!"
"Do you know what you're doing is a SIN?!"
"Do you want your friends to think you're gay?! You're not gay, are you? Please tell me you're not gay!"
"I want you to get out of those clothes NOW!! GO!! Wipe that stuff off your face! No son of mine is going to be a transvestite, damnit!"
Maybe you've been meaning to tell your parents at some point or other, but you never had the time, or you've been too afraid to tell them. In any case, you were caught, giving in to what you wanted to do, what you had to do, and your chance to make them understand just got blown to hell. There's no way on Earth they'll ever be able to understand.
So, you get better at hiding it. You wait for times when you know they're going to be gone for hours. You long for them to go on a trip by themselves for a few days. You've practiced applying makeup until you can get a look together in 30, maybe 45 minutes. You find creative places to stash your "other" wardrobe, perhaps renting public storage somewhere.
Still... You're on your guard. You can never be truly comfortable, not as long as you're not yet out on your own.
We've all been there at some point or other starting out... Right?
Welcome to Act II, where the road to independence is a journey that's unlike any you've taken before, but it is a journey that you have to take, and you're taking the first few steps...
(I'm serious, I don't have that collectible value. Moreover, a figure of me would most likely be used in some kind of "Chibi Project" torture test. ^_^;)
Namgyaling Tibetan Refugee Settlement, more known as Tserok, lies just South of Marpha, close to Jomsom - the administrative center of Mustang, Nepal.
Swedish NGO IM, my employer, has supported this settlement since the 1970's, with a school, a nursery, an Old People's Home, and a Tree Plantation - apples, which the region and Marpha in particular - is famous for.
On Empoweringvision.com Tsering Passang writes the following about this remote settlement:
"When Tibet was invaded by the People’s Republic of China in 1950, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was forced to flee Tibet into exile, after the failed Tibetan National Uprising in Lhasa in March 1959. Some 80,000 Tibetans followed their leader to India. Over the following years, more Tibetans fled into the neighbouring countries including Nepal and Bhutan.
A contingent of dedicated Tibetan freedom fighters, over 2000 volunteers, was regrouped in exile to launch resistance against the China’s illegal rule in Tibet. In the 1960s and early ‘70s, Tibetan resistance fighters, popularly known as “Khampa Guerrillas”, based their covert operation in Mustang, funded by the CIA, from where they conducted military raids into Tibet. A majority of the Tibetan resistance fighters and their families are now resettled in Pokhara and Kathmandu valleys where they have lived since the end of their resistance movement in Mustang in 1974. Mustang is also home to several hundred Tibetan refugees with most of them based in the Lower Mustang (known as Lo-Tserok) Namgyal Ling Tibetan Refugee Settlement."
As best I could do with an S5... much better than the Nikon S10 though!
Moon as seen from Pilbara, West Australia - 23rd December 2007
1957 Maserati 200SI by Fantuzzi
Offered from the Oscar Davis Collection
$3,112,500 USD | Sold
From Sotheby's:
“The 200SI was one of the best handling front-engined, drum-braked racing cars from that period. It was wonderful to hang on in curves with it, and it clearly followed your line. It was a pleasure to drive.”
John Fitch
Although occasionally still achieving respectable results with their aging A6GCS, by 1954 Maserati had acknowledged its creeping obsolescence and were simultaneously developing their new 150S and 200S models as suitable replacements. Somewhat illogically designated the Tipo 53 and Tipo 52, respectively, both shared broadly similar conventional tubular chassis, as well as 1.5- and 2-liter versions of the same all-new, twin-plug four-cylinder engine. Front suspension on both models was via conventional double wishbones and coil springs, although the 150S employed a De Dion tube and transverse leaf-spring arrangement at the rear while the 200S—initially at least—used a live axle. However, following complaints from early 200S customers, rear suspension on all but the first few cars was subsequently modified to mirror that of its smaller sibling.
Development of the 200S proved troublesome, with transmission problems plaguing the car in longer distance and road racing events. However, wins in 1956 for Jean Behra at the Gran Premio di Bari and Gran Premio di Roma salvaged considerable pride, as did Stirling Moss and Cesare Perdisa’s fine 2nd place to Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins’ Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa in that year’s Supercortemaggiore at Monza. The move to Appendix C regulations for 1957 precipitated the car’s transformation into 200SI, or Sport Internazionale, guise—a move which saw such cars fitted with a full-width windscreen, two functioning doors, provision for a spare wheel, and a somewhat makeshift fabric top to ensure compliance.
RUNNING WITH THE EAST COAST SCCA FRATERNITY
One of just 20 200SI-specification cars constructed, chassis 2427 was completed at Maserati’s fabled Modena works on 9 August 1957. As with all but five 200S/SI chassis, it was constructed with the later, and more attractive, Fantuzzi coachwork; the car was further specified with Jaeger instruments, Cibie headlights, and Pirelli-shod Borrani wire wheels. It was originally imported by United States concessionaire Maserati Corporation of America on behalf of its first owner, New York-based philanthropist and respected art authority Vincent Dyckman Andrus. The car was destined to be driven by road racing legend John Fitch—by this time a winner of both the Sebring 12 Hours and the RAC Tourist Trophy—principally in East Coast SCCA events.
Fitch’s first competitive outing in 2427 was in the Queen Catherine Cup at Watkins Glen on 21 September 1957, in which he finished a promising 4th, and 1st in class, with Bob Holbert’s Porsche 550RS victorious. The following weekend, both Fitch and Maserati travelled to Bridgehampton, where the 25-lap SCCA feature race included no less than four Briggs Cunningham-entered Jaguar D-types, and Phil Hill in a Ferrari 857S. Against formidable opposition, Fitch finished 5th, and once again took a class victory, with Walt Hansgen securing overall honors for Cunningham.
In December 1957, Fitch and 2427 headed south for the popular International Bahamas Speed Week; the car now sported a new white-with-blue-underbelly color scheme in place of its previous red. A preliminary five-lap heat for the Governor’s Trophy race yielded an excellent 2nd overall and 1st in class behind Ed Crawford’s Porsche 550RS—and ahead of similar cars driven by the Rodriguez brothers, and Olivier Gendebien’s Ferrari 500 TRC—but the feature race itself ended in retirement. However, the Nassau Memorial Trophy race the following day provided the most significant result of the car’s career, with Fitch finishing 3rd overall—and 1st in class yet again—beaten only by Stirling Moss’ Scuderia Buell Ferrari 290MM and Ritchie Ginther’s fearsome 5-liter John Edgar-owned Ferrari 410 Sport.
The East Coast SCCA fraternity reconvened on 27 April 1958 at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut, although in the 20-lap under 2-liter race, Fitch could manage only 2nd overall (and 2nd in class) to Gaston Andrey’s Ferrari 500 TRC. However, normal service was resumed when the pair returned in June, with Fitch finishing 4th overall, and 1st in class once again, in the feature 40-lap Sports Car Race, behind Walt Hansgen’s new Lister-Jaguar, Bob Oker’s Aston Martin DBR2, and Holbert’s Porsche 550RS.
By mid-1958, Fitch was evidently at a crossroads with 2427. In terms of pace, he was, unsurprisingly, some distance away from the newer and more powerful Cunningham Listers, yet in his own class he was virtually unchallenged. Inquiries were made as to the cost of a new, factory-built 2.5-liter engine, although his (and Andrus’) subsequent decision to offer the car for sale suggests that either they thought better of the idea, or that the cost was prohibitive. Either way, the July SCCA meeting at Lime Rock marked Fitch’s final outing in the car; his 3rd overall and final class win behind the two Cunningham Listers of Crawford and Hansgen ensured that the pair signed off on a high.
2427 HEADS SOUTH
In September 1958, 2427 was advertised for sale by Carroll Shelby Sports Cars Inc.; the car was purchased shortly thereafter by Floridian John J. Packo, who had previously campaigned a Lotus XI in local SCCA events. However, despite reinstating the original red paintwork, “J.J” apparently raced the car only once, at Boca Raton in March 1959, where he finished 2nd in the Preliminary race to Lucky Casner’s Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and then 3rd in the feature race behind the similar cars of Jim Hunt and E.D. Martin.
As competitors on track, Packo and Casner—proprietor of the ambitious Camoradi team—had forged a close friendship, and when one of Casner’s two Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcages failed to materialize for the Cuban Grand Prix of February 1960, it was Packo who generously stepped in and lent the team his car. Duly entered by Camoradi, and with no lesser driver than Dan Gurney at the wheel, 2427 unfortunately retired in the race, although not before sharing track time in the rarefied company of winner (and Camoradi teammate) Moss, Maurice Trintignant, Jack Brabham, Carroll Shelby, Masten Gregory, and both Rodriguez brothers.
THE PRIDE OF COLLECTORS WORLDWIDE
Having been advertised for sale in February 1963, this car was duly purchased by emerging Ferrari and Maserati collector Carl Bross of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; it was a stablemate to his ex-Moss, 1956 Italian Grand Prix-winning 250F. However, after Bross’ death in 1971, much of his collection, including 2427, passed to Anthony Bamford of Rocester, United Kingdom, before joining the collection of discerning Scottish Maserati enthusiast Ray Fielding in 1978. Exhibited for many years in the Doune Motor Museum near Falkirk, Scotland, the car remained in the Fielding family for almost three decades, and remerged in highly original condition before being sold to Anton Bilton, of London, in July 2007.
In late 2007, 2427 was entrusted to renowned restorers GPS Classic of Soragna, Italy, who embarked on an overhaul of its the chassis, numbers-matching engine, and gearbox with the objective of preparing the car for vintage racing. The restoration of its highly prized original body, meanwhile, was entrusted to Quality Cars of Padova. Duly completed and resplendent once again in its original color, it made its post-restoration debut in the 2008 Mille Miglia Storica. However, Bilton kept the car only briefly, selling it to Dr. Wolf Zweifler of Munich, Germany—who has owned a remarkable series of Maseratis from this wonderful era—in July 2008. Dr. Zweifler campaigned the car extensively over the next few years, including several participations in the Ferrari Maserati Challenge, 2009 Mille Miglia Storica, and the 2010 Le Mans Classic, before selling the car.
After its acquisition by Oscar Davis in 2012, Leydon Restorations of Lahaska, Pennsylvania began the painstaking task of bringing 2427 back to its as-built mechanical and cosmetic specification. The safety structure previously added was removed, interior panels were reworked to their original appearance, and original components were refitted—all to return this Maserati to its original 1957 presentation. It has remained in the Oscar Davis Collection ever since.
Although the Maserati 200S/SI did little to distinguish itself in contemporary European long-distance events, it proved highly effective in shorter-format races in North America—a fact underlined by John Fitch’s considerable achievements driving this particular car. However, the impressive competition record of 2427 is but one facet of its remarkable life; its subsequent enjoyment, preservation, documentation and restoration by some of the world’s most discerning collectors being no less noteworthy. Its impressive provenance is substantiated by an accompanying history file containing copies of Maserati factory build sheets, research and correspondence, photo documentation of its restoration, and past FIVA identity cards dated 2007 and 2009.
Fastidiously maintained in the Oscar Davis Collection and impeccably presented today, it offers extraordinary versatility as well as seemingly limitless opportunities to enter the world’s most exclusive vintage touring and racing events, and it would assuredly prove a worthy addition to any significant car collection.
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Kristina and I headed over to RM Sotheby's at the Monterey Conference Center to view some glorious cars at their auction preview.
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Had a blast with our auto-enthusiast friend and neighbor, Fred, at Monterey Car Week 2022.
As I was leaving work at 5PM yesterday, I got a call from Terry about a crane collapsing in downtown Orlando at the site of the Event Center construction. I had done a sketch at this construction site before. The crane had collapsed only about a half hour before, so I immediately headed downtown. As I approached the site I heard helicopters overhead from the news crews taking video of the event. On site were 2 news trucks and several anchors giving their reports to the cameras. I simply set up between two news crews and started to sketch. While sketching I eavesdropped on the anchors to get a sense of what happened. A cable snapped while lifting a load which led to the crane boom landing on the structure.
The operator was taken to the hospital in shock but there were no injuries. The Orlando Magic for whom the Center is being constructed reported that damage from the collapse was minor.
A former construction worker who was on disability stopped by to take photos on his cell phone. He explained to me that in order to up right the crane, workers would have to cut all the cranes cables which are tangled in the buildings exposed beams. Inside the construction area, the crane is surrounded by red warning tape. A reporter said work would continue as usual tomorrow.
I ran into Ector as he sat on his bicylcle doing some people watching at the busy six corner intersection of Damen, North and Milwaukee Avenues.
It was a hoppin' Friday night and Ector was just taking it all in.
When I first popped him he gave me some shit... 'what... are you with the CIA or something' he quipped.
I walked a few feet away until I felt the challenge settle in.
I turned around and showed him the picture on the back of my camera.
'Would the CIA have photographers who could take a picture like this' I asked.
'Damn... that's good' he said after checking himself out on the viewing screen.
He said he liked the picture but he thought I could do a little better.
As an expert people watcher Ector had the perfect spot on the corner picked out so I stood and talked with him for a few minutes while I popped passersby.
Ector is quite a philosopher, a poet and an all around interesting cat.
We had some great conversation on that corner.
I kept thinking his name was 'Hector' because of his accent until he told me that there was no 'H' in his name.
Shortly after that his friend 'Ennis' walked up... like 'Dennis' without the 'D'...
'What's up with you guys gettin' rid of the first letter of your names' I commented.
Then I handed them a card... the ones that say 'Viewminder' but not my name.
'What's your name' Ector asked as he looked at the card.
'iewminder' I said 'like 'Viewminder' without the 'V'.
We all laughed... then I popped Ennis and we watched the world go by for a while and talked about everything under the sun.
Faces in the street
Chicago 5.20.11
35mm 1.8 adjusted expo and contrast a bit
#Rose #wines:
#Roses are perfect for #spring and #summer, as they are served chilled and can be a refreshing accompaniment to a variety of warm weather fare. Rose #wine integrates some of the color from the #grape skins, but not enough to qualify it as a #red #wine. Rose wines are also called as #Blush wines. It might be the #oldest known type of wine, as it is the most easy to make with the skin contact method. Rose wines are not truly red; instead they have enough of reddish tinge to make them differentiate from the white wines.
The #pink color can range from a pale "onion"-skin orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the variety used and #winemaking #techniques. Rose wines are prepared from the red grape varieties.
There are three major ways to produce rosé wine: skin contact, saignee and blending. Rose wines can be made still, semi-sparkling or sparkling and with a wide range of sweetness levels from bone-dry Provencal rosé to sweet White Zinfandels and blushes. Rosé wines are made from a wide variety of grapes and can be found all around the globe
As always NEoN celebrates its festival with a late night party. Acts include Plastique Fantastique, Verity Brit & Musician U, Fallope & The Tubes and Resident DJ RHL. With a pop up bar and performances amongst our large group exhibition the vast factory space West Ward Works, this night promises to be a visual audible delight.
Plastique Fantastique (UK)
A performance fiction envisaged as a group of human and non-human avatars delivering communiqués from the past and the future. The communiqués are channelled through installations, writing, comics and sound and moving image work and performances, addressing technology, popular and mass media and sacred cultures and also human-machine animals and non-human entities and agents. Over several years, numerous people have produced Plastique Fantastique but there is also a core group producing the performance fiction. Plastique Fantastique was first presented by David Burrows and Simon O’Sullivan and developed with long-term collaborators Alex Marzeta and Vanessa Page, and more recently with Mark Jackson. For NE0N 2017, this group will call forth and trap a bit-coin-fairy-spirit to ask it seems questions. The performance – Plastique Fantastique Protocols for the Society for Cutting Up Mun-knee-snakers (S.C.U.M.): I-Valerie-Solaris-AKA-@32ACP-Amazon.co.uk-recommends-‘Pacific-Rim’ may/may-not shoot b1t-c0in-f@iry-sp1r1t) – uses drone-folk-songs, moving image projection, reliquaries and ritual to manifest the block-chain-spirit.
David Burrows, Alex Marzeta, Vanessa Page and Mark Jackson will be performing.
Rites of the Zeitgeber, Verity Brit & Musician ‘U’ (UK)
9 channel video installation, live score performed by musician ‘U’
The Zeitgeber (‘time giver’ or ‘synchroniser’) is honoured by a triadic henge of stacked CRT monitors in which past durations collide with future vacuums. Strange extra-terrestrial topographies are traversed across geological time and the internet. Curious substances are unearthed and lost languages resurrected. Fragments from Mina Loy, J. G. Ballard and Henri Bergson emerge amongst an archaeology of media from Super 8, VHS, to HD. Time bends from matter, history is up-set and the clock is obsolete.
Verity Birt an artist based in London. She studied an MA in Moving Image at the Royal College of Art (2013–2015) and BA in Art Practice at Goldsmiths University of London (2008–2011). She is involved with collaborative research groups; The Future is a Collective Project, Reconfiguring Ruins and a founding member of women artists collective Altai. This summer, Verity was artist in residence at BALTIC and The Newbridge Project in Newcastle. Previous exhibitions include: Our House of Common Weeds; Res. Gallery, London (2017); Relics from the De-crypt | Gossamer Fog Gallery London (2017), Altai in Residence, Experiments in Collective Practice, Dyson Gallery, London (2017); Chemhex Extract, Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen (2016); Feeling Safer, IMT Gallery, London and Gallery North, New York (2016); Come to Dust, Generator Projects, Dundee (2016)
Fallopé & The Tubes (UK)
A weirdo-punk performance band. Each live show features live humans! film and visuals! costumes! sculpture! visual props! and music/a sequence of sounds!
Fallopé and The Tubes is a fluctuating live musical and performative event with contributions from Sarah Messenger, Ruby Pester, Nadia Rossi, Rachel Walker, Catherine Weir, Emma McIntyre and Skye Renee Foley. The group are made up of Scottish based artists and musicians that are also filmmakers, festival organisers, librarians, boatbuilders and more who work collaboratively to devise live performances. Drawing influence from a wide range of fringe and mainstream musical genres, exploring sexuality, elements of social satire, self promotion and leftist political ideologies.
The group was established in January 2014 at Insriach Bothy, Aviemore and have developed their practice during numerous residency experiences across Scotland. By living and working together ‘off grid’ the group have developed experimental techniques to create a collective energy. Fallopé & The Tubes draw influence from a wide range of fringe and mainstream musical genres, as well as sexuality, elements of social satire and self promotion and leftist political ideologies. Soakin Records
DJ RHL (UK)
Resident NEoN DJ has been entertaining us since 2010. Djing for about 25 years, he predominately plays Techno but you often find him playing anything dance music related. Spinning old school vinyl sets containing an eclectic mix of old and new stuff. RHL just likes making people dance. Check here for past performances.
Accompanying DJ RHL is ‘The Wanderer‘ aka Naomi Lamb. Naomi works layers of diverse video loops into an ever evolving collage colours textures and shape and intuitively mixies visuals live. She improvises, freestyles and channels the room, customising the ephemeral moving collage in response to the tone of the happening.
For the past 20 years Naomi has been a prolific live video art performer utilising techniques and process that is often associated with the ever growing subculture of VJing and presents under the name of ‘The Wander’. Naomi has an intimate knowledge of not only the process of live video performance but also an wide reaching connections within the VJ community and has performed at many of the leading outdoor music and art festivals in New Zealand with a debut at two English Festivals this summer and she is super please for her first time mixing it up in Scotland to be at NEoN. “
AGK Booth
Yuck ’n Yum hereby invites you to attend the Annual General Karaoke booth at this year’s NEoN at Night. The AGK is a fiercely contested karaoke video competition, getting creative types to make videos that will shock, delight and confound its audience. First staged back in 2010, over the years the AGK has built up a sizeable back catalogue of singalong anthems encompassing everything from pop classics to the most extreme avant garde out there. Now Yuck ’n Yum will bring the AGK archive to NEoN revellers in an audiovisual extravaganza that will overturn everything you ever thought you knew about karaoke convention. This November, Yuck ’n Yum together with NEoN are making a song and dance about it.
About the Artists Yuck ‘n Yum is a curatorial collective formed in Dundee 2008. Until 2013 its main raison d’etre was to make zines and distribute art. The AGK booth is the first of three projects that will kick start a period of activity after a couple of years of hibernation.
Yuck ‘n Yum are Andrew Maclean, Gayle Meikle, Ben Robinson, Alexandra Ross, Alex Tobin, Becca Clark and Morgan Cahn.
WEST WARD WORKS
Guthrie Street
DD1 5BR
Images: NEoN
We made our annual trip to London in November. We travel down by coach from Slaithwaite and stay at The Cumberland Hotel at Marble Arch. It’s actually a weekend ladies shopping trip that is run as a fundraiser for Slaithwaite Brass Band – I’m the only bloke that goes every year! We decided ( the two of us) to stay down in London until Thursday this time as we wanted to see weekday London and be able to explore a bit further afield on foot. We covered up to 16 miles a day, which is tough going on crowded pavements with hundreds of busy roads to cross. I photographed anything that looked interesting but I bent a contact in the CF card slot, fortunately I had quite a few SD cards with me and the 5D has dual slots so I was able to carry on using it. It’s currently at Lehmann’s getting fixed.
With it being close to Christmas the decorations are up everywhere so there was plenty of colour at night. In Hyde Park the Winter Wonderland was in full swing, we’ve never bothered going to it before but I went twice at night this time. It is massive this year, I couldn’t get over how big it is and the quality of some of the attractions. The cost and effort involved must be phenomenal – it was quite expensive though. It was very difficult to photograph, with extremes of light (LED’s) and darkness and fast moving rides into the bargain. I think I have some decent usable stuff but at the time of writing I am only part way through the editing process so I don’t know for sure.
We set off at around 8.15 am every day and stayed out for at least 12 hours. The weather was poor for a day and a half with drizzle and very dull grey conditions, fortunately we had some pleasant weather (and light) along the way as well. Being based at the end of Oxford Street – Europe’s busiest shopping street – meant that I did quite a bit of night shooting on there. Although I carried a tripod everywhere I only used it once and that was during the day! Because there is always a moving element in almost every shot it seemed pointless using a tripod. I would have got some shots free of movement – or I could have gone for ultra-long exposures to eliminate people and traffic but it would have been problematic I felt. In the end I wound the ISO up and hand held – fingers crossed.
We walked out to Camden Market and Locks but it had been raining and we were a bit early as many were only just setting up for the day. We tried to follow routes that we hadn’t used before and visit new places. We paid a fortune to get in St Pauls but you can’t use cameras. This something that I fail to see the point of, ban flash if you want but if you are going to encourage tourism why ban cameras when there is nothing in particular happening in there. It’s a rule that seems to be applied arbitrarily in cities around the world. Fortunately we could take photos from the outside of the dome, which was real reason for visiting, and we had some great light. Expensive compared with a couple of euros in some famous cathedrals. I’ve wanted to walk to Canary Wharf for a number of years and this year we did. We crisscrossed the Thames a few times and tried to follow the Thames path at other times. We covered around ten miles but it was an interesting day. It was also very quiet for the last four or five miles. We got there about 12.00 and managed to get a sandwich in a café in the shopping centre at the foot of the high rise office blocks before tens of thousands of office workers descended from above. It was mayhem, packed, with snaking queues for anywhere that sold food. We crossed to the other side of The Isle of Dogs and looked across to the O2 Arena and the cable car, unfortunately there isn’t a way across for pedestrians and it was around 3.00 pm. With darkness falling at around 4.30 we decide it was too late to bother. We made our way back to the Thames Clipper pier to check the sailing times. They sail every twenty minutes so we had a couple of glasses of wine and a rest before catching the Clipper. Sailing on the Thames was a first in 15 trips to London. The Clipper is fast and smooth, the lights had come on in the city and there was a fantastic moon rise. It was nigh on impossible to get good shots at the speed we were traveling though and there were times that I wished I could be suspended motionless above the boat. Again, hopefully I will have some usable shots.
We felt that the shopping streets were a little quieter, following the Paris massacre it was to be expected, I might be wrong as we were out and about at later times than previous trips. I think I have heard that footfall is down though. It was good to get into some of the quieter backstreets and conversely to be stuck in the city business district – The Square Mile- at home time. A mass exodus of people running and speed walking to bus stops and the rail and tube stations. It was difficult to move against or across the flow of bodies rushing home.
Whilst the Northern(manufacturing) economy is collapsing, London is a giant development site, it must be the tower crane capital of Europe at the moment. It was difficult to take a shot of any landmark free of cranes, it was easier to make the cranes a feature of the photo. It’s easy to see where the wealth is concentrated – not that there was ever any doubt about it. The morons with too much money are still driving their Lambo’s and Ferraris etc. like clowns in streets that are packed with cars , cyclists and pedestrians, accelerating viciously and noisily for 50 yards. They are just sad attention seekers. From Battersea to Canary Wharf we walked the Thames Embankment, the difference between high and low tide on the river is massive, but the water was the colour of mud – brown! Not very attractive in colour. We caught a Virgin Train from Kings Cross for £14.00 each – a bargain!. We had quite a bit of time to kill around midday at Kings Cross so I checked with security that I was OK to wander around taking photos, without fear of getting jumped by armed security, and set off to photograph the station and St Pancras International Station across the road. I haven’t even looked at the results as I type this but I’ll find out if they are any good shortly. Talking of security, following Paris, there was certainly plenty of private security at most attractions, I don’t know if it was terrorism related though, I can’t say I noticed an increased police presence on the streets. It took us three hours and five minutes from Kings Cross to being back home, not bad for a journey of 200 miles. I can’t imagine that spending countless billions on HS2 or HS3 is going to make a meaningful (cost effective) difference to our journey. Improving what we have, a little faster, would be good. There are some bumpy bits along the route for a mainline and Wakefield to Huddersfield is the equivalent of a cart track – and takes over 30 minutes – it’s only a stone’s throw.
Saturday 3rd November 2018
It is a truth that you don't know how ill you were until you begin to get better.
I had been suffering with a cough for maybe three months now, usually at night when I went to bed. I had been forced to sup from bottles of cough syrup to enable me to drop off, and in later weeks, sleep was being broken by me coughing in my sleep as I turned over. At times my chest ached with the coughing. And worse of all, it seemed never to end.
I was planning on going to the doctor, but my inner voice told me, what could I say, I cough a lot? So, I bore it. And I did through the day too, sucking on cough sweets as I worked though the day and a dry coughing fit would render me incapable of talking.
And then, late last week, it just stopped. One night I went to bed, laid on my other side and dropped off. And slept deeply for nine hours, except when Scully brought me in a mouse for me and would not be quiet until I looked at it under the bed. The lay in the dark as she ate it, crunching through the bones.
So, I can sleep long and deep at night, and no longer cough my way through the day either. All rather marvelous, and so worries I might have caught the plague or ebola go unfounded.
Once my back is better, I can think about exercise again and tackling my weight. Again. I mean, we all have good intentions, but this time I really must do better. I heard from my friend Tony that he has given up sugary soda and cakes, maybe I should give up, or partly give up booze, as it is pure calories. Or, give up the meals for half the week that seem to demand the accompaniment of a glass or three of red, of a bottle of Belgian#s finest.
We shall see.
Jools asked me what the plan was for the weekend.
Sheffield Park, I replied.
Train then, she said.
No, the other Sheffield Park, but that is also nearby!
Sheffield Park is in Sussex, a good two hour drive from Chez Jelltex, and in preparation for the trip, Jools had done the shopping on Friday, meaning we had nothing else to do on the day.
Jools did not ask why we were going to Sheffield Park, just accepted it.
After breakfast we set off, driving up the M20, soon to be Europe's largest lorry park, where only two lanes are now open and for 25 or so miles there is a 50mph speed limit whilst workers strengthen the hard shoulder to allow for mile upon mile of nose to tail lorry parking, which is the sum of the UK's only Brexit preparation.
Even worse is that the motorway that links the M20 with the M25 west, the M26, is to be closed both ways indefinitely to allow for more lorry parking, this will make the simple business of getting about more tricky. If we have fuel for our cars, of course.
We cross into Sussex, and the sat nav takes us south off it to East Grinstead, then by back lanes through woods and rolling fields towards Haywards Heath to Sheffield Park. All the time I was looking at the sky, looking for signs of the clouds clearing, the forecast clearly spoke of sunny intervals, but this was just solid cloud, and dull.
We arrive at Sheffield Park just as the gates were opening, paid our entrance fee to get in, and then the age old problem, which path to take? I look at the map and point vaguely in the other direction and say "that way".
We are confronted with the first of a series of lakes, each surrounded by a mix of trees, some still green or evergreen, but others yellow or red leaves showing well. Just not dramatic in the dull light. Above us, the clouds had began to clear from the north, but would it ever unveil the sun way to the south? As the time neared to half ten then eleven, the clearing reached the sun, and it was like that scene from Wizard of Oz when it went from black and white to technicolor. Amazing.
Not sure how long the sun would last, we and the other photographers rush round getting shots of the park, showing off its autumn colours.
By now the gardens were getting busy, so we beat our retreat back to the car ten drive the half mile down the road to the Bluebell Railway station of the same name. I already knew there were no train running, but the station buffet would be open, and would be very much cheaper than the team rooms the National Trust usually charges for.
We have a sandwich each, some crisps and I have a pint of Harvey's Old ale, which was rather wonderful.
After a quick look round the station shop, we go back to the car for the drive back home, following the same route as took when we came, the clouds had rolled back over, so we had had the best of the weather and I felt lucky we got the shots we did.
Back home I put the radio on the listen to the footy; City were away at Sheffield Wednesday, and start well, but miss an early penalty, and seems it was going to be one of those day. We had not won there since 2001, nor won in the league in November since 2008, so the omens were not good.
But in the second half, City went up the gears and rattled in four goals in quarter of an hour, and looked like Barcelona at times, but that might have been the poor opposition. But the upshot of this result, and the fact that Sheffield Utd lose is that, for 24 hours at least, Norwich are top of the league, and our rivals, despite employing our old manager, Paul Lambert, were rock bottom after drawing 1-1.
We go to Whitfield in the evening for some card action, but Jen and John both have colds, and we are still pretty tired, meaning that we only play one game of meld, which Jen wins, and Syn scoops the jackpot in Queenie, meaning we were all done by nine, and able to be home and in bed by ten.
The Civil War Memorial, also known as the Soldier's Monument, designed by Captain John D. Howland, a prominent member of the 1st Colorado Cavalry, and molded by J. Otto Schweizer, was dedicated on July 24, 1909 on the steps of the west entrance of the Colorado State Capitol Building. The memorial depicts a 8-foot bronze figure of a Union soldier, mounted on a 10-foot granite base, adorned with four tablets that list the battles and the names of the soldiers who died. Also chiseled into the base of this grand memorial is the proud statement that Colorado had the highest average of volunteers in the Civil War of any state or territory in the Union. Another plaque on the statue refers to the discovery of gold at Pikes Peak in 1858 by Green Russell and others. The plaque on the north face of the monument simply reads, " For the Unknown Dead." Another plaque nearby focuses on the controversy surrounding the classification of Sand Creek as a battle, when many viewed it as a massacre. Originally two black walnut trees from the home of Abraham Lincoln flanked this memorial. While the trees no longer stand, there is a plaque within the capitol commemorating the generosity of President Lincoln for his donation to the beautification of our capitol.
The Colorado State Capitol Building, at 200 East Colfax Avenue, first opened for use in 1894. Designed by architect Elijah E. Myers, the four-story cruciform building, with four similar elevations, is constructed of Colorado gray granite from Gunnison County. The 24-carat golf-leaf covered dome, which rises 150-feet high commemorating the Colorado Gold Rush, was added in 1908.
The interior uses copious amounts of Colorado Rose Onyx, a rare rose marble from a quarry near Beulah, Colorado. White Yule Marble from the quarries near Marble, Colorado was also used for the floors. Important interior spaces include the rotunda with its murals by local artist Allen Tupper True, the House and Senate chambers, and the old Supreme Court chamber. Many of the windows are stained glass, depicting people or events related to the history of Colorado. The halls are decorated with portraits of every president of the United States.
The official elevation of Denver is measured outside the west entrance to the building, where the fifteenth step is engraved with the words "One Mile Above Sea Level." A second mile high marker was set in the 18th step in 1869 when Colorado State University students resurveyed the elevation. In 2003, a more accurate measurement was made with modern means, and the 13th step was identified as being one mile high, where a 3rd marker was installed.
Considered by Henderson (2006) as a new species Arenga ryukyuensis endemic in the Ryukyus it is likely to be only a variant of Arenga engleri as supposed by Hodel et al. (2014) in Palms 58(4), p. 165. – The stems of the taller trees are of Satakentia liukiuensis.
As anyone who has watched a reddish egret fish can attest, it is quite a sight to see. It is almost mesmerizing as they dart back and forth and get in various positions as in this photo. No wonder they call it "a dance"! Love those Reddish Egrets!!
Dressing as her is so addictive ! It started as a bit of fun , afters so much teasing as a boy , ok , I thought , I be a girl ! The moment I tried on a pair of knickers I was smitten , oh how silky soft and seductive they feel amazing , I needed a dress , so bought one on line , it’s a bit too tight , but hey it’s looks and feels so sexy ! A guy at work caught I glimpse of my photos on my computer , silly of me to post them , but I love seeing them during the day . “Wow , is that you “ he asked , oh how I blushed “Err , no it’s err………..” as I stuttered he interrupted me “Please don’t go all coy , you look amazing , would you go on a date” I never ever expected this , but before thinking it through I said yes ! So now we date , it’s taken me time to build up my confidence , but dresses , sheer nylons , high heels and makeup just feel so natural now. Yes and I’ve learnt to walk and act like a girl , I even think I am a girl at times , but , trust me , I still want to be me under the dress , that’s the real thrill , being a boy , but daring as a girl , I think he’s in love with me !
From the Swallowtail Garden Seeds collection of botanical photographs and illustrations. We hope you will enjoy these images as much as we do.
Operation Schoolroom
On the 25th of the month the squadron commenced "Operation Schoolroom which was to engage the whole of the squadron for the next twelve days in delivering and distributing 56,000 lbs of school supplies to Laos. The supplies were NEW ZEALAND'S latest gift to an underdeveloped country, under the Colombo Plan.
Flying continuous return shuttles on the "slip-crew" system, the tinned supplies were carried the 1,000 mile journey via BUTTERWORTH and BANGKOK to VIENTIANE, the capital of LAOS. Internal delivery was carried out by S/L OWEN STAPLE with F/L IAN DUFF and F/S P HACCHE as crew and F/O IAN RITCHIE with F/O GORDON THOMPSON and Sgt RAY TURNER as crew. S/L OWEN STAPLE flew the first flight to PAKEE where the crew personally unloaded the 845 tins of supplies, as local labour was not available.
Deliveries were also made to SENO, LUANG PRABANG and XIENG KHOUANG, although a slight delay oocurred due to engine trouble prevented flying on one whole day. The ground crew, under F/L P CULLEN, soon rectified the minor engine trouble and deliveries were completed just before the monsoon weather closed the airport at VIENTIANE.
Photo: 41 Unit History May 1960.