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I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
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Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
Ariel Gato Marinda is an artist in Cuba who paints on paper he manufacturers himself from discarded office paper. He makes his own dyes from local natural materials. I purchased a small silk screen he made of a Cuban Trogon, Cuban's national bird, and made a portrait of him in his modest but highly effective and productive studio. I did see a trogon in the wild, and his portrait is very representative of the bird. Las Terrazas, Cuba, March 2019
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The third and final member of the Silencers. He is able to analyze the structural composition of an object, and is able to increase it's effectiveness, making it denser, or changing the shape to be more practical. He is also able to apply it to himself, allowing him to be tougher, which makes it hard to take him down in combat.
Status: Alive, and member of the Silencers. They were locked up by Peregrine in Capt Solar #4, but were freed sometime between the events of volume 1 and 2.
Dagbok 2028-01-08
04:30 - Training
Sauna with S.
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Anteckningar:
Sauna plans with Seraphine were altered when the Letsworth boy threw himself in the lake. Luckily I was already swimming. Arthur refused medical attention after I dragged him out of the freezing water, but ended up defrosting himself in the sauna as he sat with me, Sera and Jamie.
Introduction
The Word of God in the Last Days "God's Work, God's Disposition, and God Himself III" (Part Five)
God's words in this video are from the book "The Word Appears in the Flesh".
The content of this video:
9. Jesus Performs Miracles
1) Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
2) The Resurrection of Lazarus Glorifies God
Almighty God says, "When the Lord Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead, He used one line: “Lazarus, come forth.” He said nothing aside from this—what do these words represent? They represent that God can accomplish anything through speaking, including resurrecting a dead man. When God created all things, when He created the world, He did so with words. He used spoken commands, words with authority, and just like that all things were created. It was accomplished like that. This single line spoken by the Lord Jesus was just like the words spoken by God when He created the heavens and earth and all things; it equally held the authority of God, the ability of the Creator. All things were formed and stood fast because of words from God’s mouth, and just the same, Lazarus walked out from his tomb because of the words from the Lord Jesus’ mouth. This was the authority of God, demonstrated and realized in His incarnate flesh. This type of authority and ability belonged to the Creator, and to the Son of man in whom the Creator was realized. This is the understanding taught to mankind by God bringing Lazarus back from the dead."
“That can’t be a good sign,” Aearonor whispered to himself as he eyed the otherwise peaceful night sky above the mountains being split with fiery light and sometimes revealing licks of flame bursting over the snowcapped peaks. A short time after the tunnelers had finally breached through the Dividing Mountains into the northern territory of Melikroth, the mysterious flame had sprung up, burning night and day. No Alborne scouts had yet been able to determine the source of the light, but Aearonor had a feeling it was something related to war preparations on the part of the Meliks. The dwarves had been alerted to the breach in the mountains, an important bit of intel that had been brought by a harried-looking army scout who had just barely escaped a group of dwarven soldiers.
Aearonor had arrived at the inland military staging ground the previous day, about a week after departing Trienhelm. His garrison, now organized into a formal battalion for combat duty, had just finished a 70 mile three-day march from their coastal landing spot on the southeastern shore of Alborne’s boundary at the bay south of Lonsere. Before that, on the voyage from Trienhelm to the coast, their convoy of ships had encountered a bitter squall that set them back a day due to losing navigation capabilities for a short time. And it had been glorious. Just being on the sea made Aearonor feel far more alive than he ever had before and set a fire in his heart to get back to the ocean as soon as he could.
Upon arrival to the staging ground, he noticed there was already an established base of operations and marshalling ground on the shore of a sizeable lake, which had been reduced to a muddy mire and stripped of all trees for their wood by the thousands of soldiers trekking through it over the past few weeks as they set up camp and prepared their equipment for war. Colonel Faron had then ordered the battalion to set up camp at a currently empty spot on the shore directly next to the main dirt road leading from the staging ground to the tunnel entrance. Aearonor promptly set about doing his mundane resupply boy tasks like collecting wood and moving crates.
He recalled the incident from earlier in the night, when some of the battalion’s outer pickets had spotted a lone Islorien scout attempting to sneak through the grasslands between the mountains and the lake. The pure Islorien elves, to common knowledge, had not crossed the mountain border in a century, which led Aearonor to think that perhaps this fellow didn’t simply stumble across the Dividing Mountains. Perhaps the elves had somehow learned about the covert tunneling project and sent scouts over from the Elkmire to investigate. The pickets had brought the elf to Colonel Faron for interrogation and information extraction, which was proving very difficult to get out of him, despite his apparent young age and frightened temperament.
“Why are you here? What is an Islorien army scout doing on this side of the mountains??” thundered Faron.
“I-I-I…I can’t t-tell you that” the elf stammered back.
“Well, pointy ears, you have very few options left to choose from now. Either you reveal to me exactly why you are here and who sent you, or you and your precious ears are going to find each other forcefully separated. I’m not in the mood to wait on you to share information on your own time.”
Aearonor listened to the ongoing interrogation with only half attention as he walked across the main path to the breach carrying a hatchet and a small log he had just chopped off of a dead tree. Looking to his right, he could see a company of raiders embarking from the assembly ground and making their way down the main road to the breach to begin making updated maps of Melikroth and possibly bring back some dwarf prisoners for interrogation. He didn’t envy them. He would much rather be out at sea exploring some new land than fight short bearded madmen in the cold on land. A grimace slipped across his face as he imagined the possibility of new orders coming in for the battalion to make a foray into Melikroth and that he might have to join those raiders in the cold soon. But for now, the standing orders were to sit tight at the lake assembly point and prepare equipment for a large scale invasion.
He breathed a deep sigh and continued on his mission to bring the log to the carpenter’s station as the mysterious fire blazed off in the distance. This would be a long night.
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If you read all that, most impressive! Thanks for reading. That was a lot of text, but I’ve been really enjoying writing the stories for these FK builds so far. I was initially planning to make this build a full MOC, but when I had the idea for flames illuminating the night sky, I just had to do another scene 😉 I think that since I’ve already done two scenes for FK, I might as well continue the trend and keep every build in this group to a scene, to continue developing my forced perspective skills and maintaining the immersion within the universe I’m trying to build with Aearonor’s story.
Maranatha!
God's Utterance "God Himself , the Unique (III) God's Authority (II)" (Part Two)
www.holyspiritspeaks.org/videos/gods-authority-2-part-two/
Introduction
God's words in this video are from the book "The Word Appears in the Flesh".
The content of this video:
The Six Junctures in a Human Life
Birth: The First Juncture
1. A New Life Is Born Out of the Creator’s Plans
2. Why Different Human Beings Are Born Under Different Circumstances
Growing Up: The Second Juncture
1. The Circumstances Under Which One Grows Up Are Fixed by the Creator
2. The Various Circumstances Under Which People Grow Up Give Rise to the Different Roles
Image Source: The Church of Almighty God
Terms of Use: en.godfootsteps.org/disclaimer.html
My little Tigger, taken on our bed 4th March 2008.
Tigger always loved a dry roasted bone treat to chew on. He'd lick it clean in no time at all and sometimes make himself sick because the marrow inside was so rich. But he never turned one down or left one with meat on. He'd chew the bones for years afterwards. For a long time it was the "toy" he always brought upstairs to bed at night. x
The female watched me intently and waited without moving. For some reason, Male didn't come out of his nest much and didn't show himself. I didn't get a chance to take different photos of what I believe are a young Caucasian Squirrel couple. Their ears are like radar. I had to move very slowly on the monopot. I can't say that they like the shutter sound very much. They suddenly dive into their nests and come back out of their nests very slowly in a controlled manner. Today, I spent about 4 hours patiently sitting in the olive groves from time to time.
Patience was the first thing I learned in nature photography. Good luck if there is a reward after long hours. It is possible to say that today was a lucky day for me.
Climate change affects nature differently in every corner of the world. The last four weeks have been extremely windy in the North Aegean region and the last few days have been rainy. Like most red squirrel populations, spotting a Caucasian Squirrel is definitely becoming a rare sight. Extreme heat has not started in the region yet and I see them less than last year. I know that Caucasian Squirrels spend the hottest hours of the day in their nests built in centuries-old olive trees.
Today, the weather in Turkey's North Aegean Region was cloudless and 30 degrees Celsius. The century-old olive tree hollow of Mr. and Mrs. Caucasian Squirrel couple Near the olive tree, about 3 meters away, they were aware of my presence even though I was wearing camouflage.
I hope you'll enjoy the my Caucasian Squirrel series as much as I enjoyed taking them.
The Caucasian squirrel lives in the hollows of centuries-old olive trees. The number of Caucasian squirrels in the North Aegean region is decreasing every year, noticeably.
Like most red squirrels, spotting a Caucasian Squirrel is definitely becoming a rare sight. Climate change affects nature differently in every corner of the world.
The Caucasian squirrel - Sciurus anomalus ; The Caucasian squirrel or Persian squirrel, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus found in temperate broadleaf and mixed forests in south-western Asia.
The species is usually said to have first been described in 1778 by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in the 13th edition of Systema Naturae,and named Sciurus anomalus. However, some authors argue that this work was actually published in 1788, and that the true first description was made by Johann Anton Güldenstädt in 1785.
Description -
Caucasian squirrels are small tree squirrels, with a total length of 32 to 36 cm (13 to 14 in), including the 13 to 18 cm (5.1 to 7.1 in) tail, and weighing 250 to 410 g (8.8 to 14.5 oz). The color of the upper body fur ranges from greyish brown to pale grey, depending on the subspecies, while that of the underparts is rusty brown to yellowish, and that of the tail, yellow brown to deep red. The claws are relatively short, compared with those of other tree squirrels, and females have either eight or ten teats.
Samuel Griswold Goodrich described the Caucasian squirrel in 1885 as "Its color is grayish-brown above, and yellowish-brown below".
Physical Description -
Caucasian squirrels have a dental formula of incisors 1/1, canines 0/0, premolars 1/1, and molars 3/3, totaling 20. They have four fingered fore feet and five fingered hind feet. Sex differences in body length or mass are not evident.
Distribution and habitat -
Caucasian squirrels are native to south-western Asia, where they are found from Turkey, and the islands of Gökçeada and Lesbos in the west, Iran in the southeast, and as far as Israel and Jordan in the south.It is one of only two species of the genus Sciurus to be found on Mediterranean islands,and, although Eurasian red squirrels have been recently introduced to some areas, is the only species of Sciurus native to the wider region.
The species mainly lives in forested areas dominated by oak, pine, and pistachio, up to altitudes of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).
Biology and behavior -
The squirrels are diurnal, and solitary, although temporary groups may forage where food is plentiful. Their diet includes nuts, seeds, tree shoots, and buds,with the seeds of oak and pine being particularly favored. Like many other squirrels, they cache their food within tree cavities or loose soil, with some larders containing up to 6 kg (13 lb) of seeds. They live in trees, where they make their dens, but frequently forage on the ground, and are considered less arboreal than Eurasian red squirrels. They commonly nest in tree hollows lined with moss and leaves, and located 5 to 14 m (16 to 46 ft) above the ground, but nests are also sometimes found under rocks or tree roots. Their alarm call is high-pitched, and said to resemble the call of the European green woodpecker, and they mark their territories with urine and dung.
Breeding occurs throughout the year, but is more common in spring or autumn. Litters range from two to seven, with three or four being typical, and the young are fully mature by five or six months of age.
Conservation -
A survey in 2008 found that the species remained abundant within Turkey, however declines are noted in population within the Levant region. The guides for a survey in 1993 in Israel stated that they considered the species to be nearly extinct within the area studied. Whilst the Caucasian squirrel is threatened by poaching and deforestation, the declines recorded are not sufficient to qualify them as anything other than "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[1] Hunting of the species is banned by the Central Hunting Commission, and the Caucasian squirrel is protected by the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive.
This information is sourced from "Wikipedia".
Thank you so much for visiting my stream, whether you comments , favorites or just have a look.
I appreciate it very much, wishing the best of luck and good light.
© All rights reserved R.Ertug Please do not use this image without my explicit written permission. Contact me by Flickr mail if you want to buy or use Your comments and critiques are very well appreciated.
Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.
I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -
Thanks for stopping and looking :)
Warren watched Sophie getting in and out of the laundry basket and one day he did it himself. The problem was that he could not get out. Luckily, I was at home and heard some weird noises coming from the bathroom and helped him out. That laundry basket is very deep. I cover it since the incident (until Warren grows a little bit more).
There was but one Battle left for him. And this time. For once in his Life, he would not Fight for himself, but for all of Ca'Adu. He left behind the former self. A Clone? Maybe. A copy? Not.
LARGE View On Black
Each time he took a walk, he felt as though he were leaving himself behind, and by giving himself up to the movement of the streets, by reducing himself up to a seeing eye, he was able to escape the obligation to think, and this, more than anything else brought him a measure of peace, a solutary emtiness within.
(Paul Auster " City of glass").
The Hairless Northern Wombat once roamed the United States in great herds but few remain today, thanks to (wait for it) global climate change.
This shy specimen seemed fascinated with a reflection of himself reflected in another mirror in a shabby little bathroom in the rectory of an old church — so much so that he didn’t notice me setting up to take his picture.
But the sound of my shutter clicking shook him out of his reverie and he scampered away, losing his little ball cap in the process. I remember the soft autumn light imparted a glow to the bare scalp that distinguishes his kind from the Hairy Southern Wombat.
While Hiking in Crockett Hills we came across this tunnel. To our surprise there was a deer inside cooling himself in the shade.
632. Man must fight against darkness by the side of light, since being in alliance with light is being in alliance with Himself.
633. The fight against darkness manifesting in the world is essential. But my foremost duty is the battle against the darkness in my very own soul.
634. The battle against darkness must be omnidimensional.
635. All things that are light-like are in solidarity with one another.
636. In the highest sense of actionality, action and inaction, doing and non-doing (Chinese wei wu wei) coincide with one another: this is when non-doing becomes an act, and doing takes its place in the calm manner of non-doing.
637. (Mors triumphalis) Triumphal death on the battlefield means victory over death, for though I could not conquer the enemy, I triumphed over death - externally I went under death, internally however I won and ascended triumphally.
638. From a traditional perspective, offensive war is considered to be more appropriate than defensive war, viz. the latter acts under coercion.
639. Each heroically orientated man is ab ovo pacific (but not a pacifist): he is not only inclined to establish peace, but has the capability to accomplish it - and he does so.
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Metaphysical aphorisms by András László
The last one from my collection, for a while, yet again from one of many! This one is of a female lion and her big cub, not long before he would go off by himself in search of the ladies!
The artist for the pen and ink study is a S. Filking of whom I can find no information at all! Never mind, the artist is excellent and has produced some marvellous work.
God's Utterance "God Himself, the Unique (IV) God’s Holiness (I)" (Part Two)
www.holyspiritspeaks.org/videos/god-holiness-i-part-2/
Introduction
God's words in this video are from the book "The Word Appears in the Flesh".
The content of this video:
3. Dialog Between Satan and Jehovah God
Recommended for You:judgement begins at the house of god
Image Source: The Church of Almighty God
Terms of Use: en.godfootsteps.org/disclaimer.html
Kylo Ren always desired a Clone Army for himself. He insistently asked the Supreme Leader for it and on the seventh day of Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar, Jar Jar Binks, the undisputed leader of the First Order, presented him the first specimen of Kylo’s new army: the Snow(man) Trooper.
Kylo’s initial elation gives away to dejection when he realize all the trooper can do is to stare back at him.
It must be a problem with the cloning process: Kylo is sure about it.
He will find a solution to this issue and he will finally have his Clone Army.
An army of soldiers genetically engineered to “appreciate” his Tantrums.
Nobody will stand a chance about his soldiers. At least when they stop to just sit and stare back.
When that day comes he will be the greatest leader the Dark Side ever knew and with a “champion” like him it’s no wonder these are very bad times for the Dark Side.
Today the Tantrum Knight enters the Holiday Seasons and since he is a central part of my parodies we can't keep him out of them.
The Advent Calendar item is the Snowman Trooper, just for the records of course hehe :)
May the Brick be with You :)
Deck Stage - Day Three - 12:15 PM - In Port Nassau
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Gales
*[Eric plays a right-handed guitar...left-handed...upside-down
and backwards...with the high-note strings on the top! Crazy!!
That's the way he taught himself, he says. Whatever works!]
(RLC IX - Feb. 2022)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjYpzvC8aiE (put it back)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI0MVzmIL6Q (don't know the blues)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qej_nfe4-E (take me just as I am)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=COA1pOQKbaM (survivor)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKjsrYSt7rw (voodoo chile)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDffS0gsOQ8 (how do I get you)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ROnr5vCRkM (Gary Hoey's JAM)
Rock Legends Cruise IX ~ Feb. 14th - 18th, 2022
Independence of the Seas ~ Royal Caribbean Line
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Independence_of_the_Seas
Port Canaveral - Nassau - Port Canaveral (Five Days)
20 Bands ~ Five Day Party ~ three stages ~ 60 Shows!
Concerts all day-and-night from 10AM to 2:00AM
*Rock Legends VII - (Feb 2019) - Cruise Video Montage
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pIMWuGq2WI&feature=youtu.be&...
2022 Bands: (5 other bands canceled with Covid symptoms)
Deep Purple - STYX - Don Mclean - Don Felder - Pat Travers
Blue Oyster Cult - Little Feat - Foghat - Warrant - Lita Ford
Pure Prairie League - Jefferson Starship - Anthony Gomes
The Fabulous Thunderbirds - George Lynch - Eric Gales
Gary Hoey - Two Wolf - Vanessa Collier - Preacher Stone
*Rock Legends VIII (Feb 2020) - Video Shows Sampler
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Nw7CqZ4VE
*ALL proceeds from ALL the Rock Legends Cruises go to NAHA :
Native American Heritage Association, a non-profit organization
dedicated to fighting hunger and providing basic life necessities
to families living on Reservations in South Dakota, U.S.A.
Mark has been cross dressing off and on for many many years. Up until now it has always been in the privacy of his house or hidden under men’s clothing. Mark had a fairly passable figure with a slim build but had never tried wigs and makeup. He just liked the clothes, mostly the lingerie but he had tried some denim skirts and finally got enough nerve to buy a kind of dusty rose dress. It was fitted pretty nicely in his midsection and flared a little at the bottom. With a bra and a little padding from a couple of socks he looked pretty shapely.
After seeing himself he decided to try out a wig and some makeup to see what he could do. He found a kind of shaggy brunette wig online that he thought would fit his vision of himself as a woman. Then he watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to apply makeup. He wanted to use as little makeup as possible because he didn’t like women who wore too much makeup himself. By the time the wig got there he was getting the hang of the makeup and was amazed how much he looked like a real woman.
He took some pictures and posted them on his Flickr account, the first pictures that showed his face. He got some real nice compliments and some suggestions from his followers.
This gave Mark the confidence to think about going out in public dressed and made up like a woman. He started planning for a Friday night at a nearby bar he thought might not be too crowded.
Steve was kind of an average guy. He had just gone through a divorce. He had enough of looking at all kinds of porn and masturbating alone in his apartment.
He was finally getting up enough nerve to go out to a bar and try to talk to women with an eye toward meeting someone he could date and have a little fun with, maybe even have it turn into a relationship if he was lucky
It just so happened that both Steve and Mark were planning to go to the same bar on the same night.
Steve got to the bar first and found a seat toward the end of the bar that gave him a view of the whole bar and most of the tables. He ordered a glass of wine and sat just taking in the place. He was thinking to himself, this is really uncomfortable. I haven’t done this in more than 20 years. I don’t remember being this nervous. There were a few women at the bar. Most with other men and 2 women toward the other end of the bar by themselves. They seemed to be about his age and fairly cute. All the tables had couples and one group of 5 women. Steve just sat nursing his wine trying to see if he could get up enough nerve to go down and introduce himself to the 2 women down at the other end of the bar.
Mark had spent some time showering, shaving and finally making himself up to go out. He was excited thinking about actually going out but his stomach was feeling really nervous. With his nervousness he persisted and got his makeup on and the wig. He noticed that the pink bikini panties that he had on were very wet from his precum. He wasn’t hard but his precum was flowing a bit with his excitement. Mark thought, I better change these panties before I go so he went and changed his panties and put on his slightly padded bra and added the socks that would give him some shape in his chest. He slipped into some dark thigh-highs and then into the dress. Last but not least he slipped on some shoes with about an inch or so heel. He had already decided it would be to hard to walk into a public place with confidence in really high heels even though he thought they would have looked good with this dress.
Mark stood in front of the full length mirror and said to himself, wow, not half bad. I think I would want to talk to me. That was when it dawned on him that he had not practiced talking like a woman. He thought OMG I can’t go out without talking. Hmmm 🤔 and he tried talking in a feminine voice. Then he said to himself, what the hell. I’ll give it a shot. It is likely to be pretty loud in the bar.
Mark said to himself, Let’s go before I chicken out. Mark headed out the door and down to the street and started walking the few blocks to the bar. Fortunately he didn’t see anyone on the way down in his apartment building, passed only a couple of people on the way to the bar and was at the bar pretty quickly. It was very dimly lit outside the bar so the couple leaving probably didn’t even think twice as they walked by him within about 10 feet.
Mark walked in and the bar was also dimly lit. He saw a couple of open seats at the bar by Steve and Mark sat down. He ordered a glass of wine in his best female voice and glanced around the bar. He thought, good not to many guys just in case they would be drunk enough to try and pick me up. Mark really only wanted to be out and see what it was like as a female.
Steve on the other hand watched Mark sit down with only one empty seat between them and thought, great, what an opportunity, she looks kind of cute and she is right next to me already.
After Mark’s wine got there. Steve had finally gotten up enough nerve to say hi to Mark. Steve said, “Hi I’m Steve, you live around here?”
Mark said, “Yes, a couple of blocks south of here.” Mark thought, crap, no woman would saw they lived “south” of something.
Steve said, “Really, seems like we would have seen each other in the grocery store or somewhere on the street at some point because I live about a block from here and its a fairly small neighborhood.”
Mark quickly changed the subject and ask what Steve did for a living. That got Steve talking which made it much easier for Mark since he didn’t need to say much. And after a few minutes he did think that Steve looked familiar, like he might have seen him in the coffee shop before.
After a few minutes more Steve asked Mark, “What do you do for a living and by the way what is your name?”
Mark thought, oh crap I can’t be Mark so he quickly said, “I work for a PR firm and my name is Mary.”
We talked back and forth and the both of them were getting really comfortable with each other especially after a couple of more glasses of wine. Then Steve said, “Mary, how about we go to my apartment so we can talk more? It’s getting to loud in here. I’m no used to this bar scene and I’d like to continue our conversation. I’m really enjoying your company.”
Mark said to himself oh crap, what do I do? I’m also really enjoying this conversation but Steve doesn’t know I’m a guy. What happens if he starts to come on to me, he really thinks I'm a woman? This could end badly, but I am enjoying the attention, being out dressed like this and the conversation has been REALLY enjoyable. Oh what the hell.
Mark said to Steve, “I’m a bit nervous about going to your apartment by myself. I don’t really know you and just so you know I have no intention of anything sexual happening between us.” There Mark thought, that should set the expectation at least. Now I can see if all Steve really wants is a piece of ass and if so then we can break this off right here so it doesn’t get awkward because I’m a guy and not the woman he would expect.
Steve responded with, “Mary, I am really just enjoying the conversation right now. I’m not a player. I haven’t been dating for a very long time and when I used to date I really liked to get to know someone before we fooled around sexually. I assure you, I will remain a perfect gentleman.”
Mark said, “Well ok then let’s pay our tabs and head out.”
Steve said, “Cool, let me get both tabs.”
Mary let him pay his tab and thought, this is kind of nice being on this side of being treated like a lady.
Steve paid and Mary walked out with Steve just behind her. Steve put his hand on Mary’s lower back, sort of guiding her out. Mary thought again, this is nice being treated like a lady.
Outside, Steve walked beside Mary and held out his arm for Mary to hold as they walked. Mary held his arm as they walked. It was a short walk and Steve held the door and rushed a little ahead to call the elevator down.
Once inside Steve’s apartment Steve apologized for the mess but Mary said, “This is not messy for a bachelor.”
Mary sat on the couch and tried to cross her legs like a lady. It was a bit awkward for her but she kind of managed. Steve asked, “Mary, would you like something to drink, more wine, sparkling water or just some ice water.”
Mark said she would appreciate a small glass of wine. Mark knew he really needed it to keep himself calm.
Mark asked Steve if he could use his bathroom, Steve said sure and Mark headed for the bathroom. He consciously thought that he should sit down to pee so Steve would hear what would sound like a man peeing while standing. Mary had suspected that her panties were wet from his precum but hadn’t realized just how wet until she pulled them down to pee. He had been enjoying his own precum for some time now so he squeezed out what was in his dick's shaft and sucked it from his finger, yum.
Steve was already sitting on the couch when Mary returned. He was watching Mary walk towards him and motioned for her to sit next to him. Mary sat and left about 2 feet between them.
After they had been talking for a few minutes Mary shifted to look at Steve more directly by moving her right leg that was closest to Steve up on the couch a bit. What Mary didn’t realize was that now Steve could see a little bit of Mary’s pink panties under the dress.
Steve noticed his view of Mary’s panties after a minute and couldn’t stop glancing every minute or 2. He didn’t want to embarrass Mary by pointing it out but it was also a bit distracting. He thought they looked a little bit wet and now he really wanted to know if Mary was feeling horny for him. Mary shifted a bit once and Steve got a glimpse of some clearly wet pink panties.
Steve got up to refill his glass and asked if Mary wanted a refill. Mary said sure and when Steve left Mary sat back straight on the couch and tried to cross her legs again.
When Steve came back he sat right next to Mary and asked if she liked to watch the late show and that Steve really like, at least, the opening monologue. Mary said she didn’t watch but put it on. Steve leaned forward to get the remote and when he sat back he put his left arm around behind Mary and his hand was now on her left shoulder and upper arm.
Mark at first thought, oh no this could be a problem but then thought, this feels nice, safe and warm so she just leaned slightly into Steve.
Steve was thinking to himself, I am developing such a crush on Mary. I know what I said but I really want to kiss her right now. If I did how would she react? I don’t want to mess things up because I move to fast but I really like her.
Meanwhile, Mark is thinking, this feels really good. I really like Steve but we are both guys and he doesn’t even know I’m a guy. Geez what a predicament. Damn, there is even a part of me that wishes he would just lean in and kiss me.
That is when Mary turned to Steve and looked deep into his eyes while Steve looked deep into Mary’s eyes. They were just being drawn in by each other, not as a man and a woman or a man and a man, just as 2 people. There was just what seemed like a deep connection between them. As they got close, each of them opened their mouths slightly and pressed their lips together in a passionate kiss. Both of them closed their eyes and just connected as one. Then Mary felt Steve’s tongue exploring her lips and then the inside of her mouth as their tongues did a delicate dance between them. They were both just lost in that passionate kiss and nothing else in the world mattered at that point. After a few minutes of the most passionate kiss either of them had ever experienced they sat back and relaxed for a second.
Mark spoke first and said, “I really need to tell you something about myself that might shock you and maybe end what we have going here.”
Steve said, “I can't imagine what would shock or make me not want to get to know you better. Why don't you hold that thought and let things unfold in a natural way.”
Mary says, “Ok, I don't want this to end either, it feels so nice but...” Steve leans towards Mary and kisses her passionately again.
After a bit Mark says that he needs to go home, because he needs to be able to work tomorrow.
Steve asks, “Mary, can I walk you home?”
They set out the few blocks to her apartment. At the door Steve again kisses her passionately and asks her, “Mary, can I call you tomorrow and try to get together again in the next day or two?”
Mary says, “Yes” and gives Steve her number. Then Mark realizes that he needs to know when it is Steve so he can try to sound female. “Steve, call me now so I can put you in my contacts list.”
Mark enters his apartment and says to himself, what have I done? What have I gotten myself into? Is this what I want? Am I gay or at least bisexual? So many questions.
Then Mary remembers the passion and says to herself, the passion was real between us. It felt so wonderful.
What will Steve do or say when he finds out I’m more than just a woman. Will he be instantly turned off, disgusted even?
Omg what would I wear it we go out again?
Meanwhile, Steve is walking home with a definite spring in his step, thinking, Mary is such a wonderful person and she is obviously hot for me since her panties were so wet. I didn't think tonight would be this nice but what the hell. Now he thinks, I wonder what Mary wanted to tell me? Oh well, how shocking could anything be that I would end things. Then a thought comes to him and Steve thinks, there is something familiar about Mary, I wonder if we have run into each other before.
Both of them got ready for bed and once there couldn't help but masturbate to the memories of the passionate kissing from the evening. Mary filling her panties with her cum and Steve filling his briefs with his.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING WORLD, GIVE THANKS TO GOD WHOM GAVE HIMSELF FOR US ALL! ❤️
----------------------------- JESUS ✝️ SAVES-------------------------------
SALVATION THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST - ALONE!
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
❤️❤️ IT'S ALL JESUS AND NONE OF OURSELVES! ❤️❤️
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the SALVATION of everyone WHO BELIEVES: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD IS REVEALED, a righteousness that is by FAITH FROM FIRST TO LAST, just as it is written: "THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH." (Romans 1:16-17)
16 KNOW that a man is NOT justified by observing the law, but by FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be JUSTIFIED BY FAITH in CHRIST and NOT by observing the law, BECAUSE BY OBSERVING THE LAW NO ONE WILL BE JUSTIFIED. (Galatians 2:16)
1. Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2. BY THIS GOSPEL YOU ARE SAVED, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8. and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
9. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
7. Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9. I am the gate; whoever enters through me WILL BE SAVED. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10. The thief comes only to STEAL and KILL and DESTROY; I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the FULL. (John 10:7-10)
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:1-13)
Jesus came to bring spiritual LIFE to the spiritually dead and set the captives FREE! FREE from RELIGION, ERROR and outright LIES, so WE might serve THE LIVING GOD! In SPIRIT and in TRUTH!
So you'll KNOW, and not think you're to bad for God to love. The Christian LIFE isn't about how good WE are, because NONE of us are! It's about how GOOD JESUS IS! Because JESUS LOVES US, so much he died in our place and took the punishment for all of our sins on himself. The wages of sin is DEATH, and Jesus took the death WE so richly deserved for us and died in our place. The good news is, there's no more punishment for sin left. WE, you and I were all born forgive as a result of the crucifixion of God himself on the cross that took away the sins of the whole world. All we have to do is believe it, and put your Faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. That my friends is REAL UNCONDITIONAL LOVE! YOU ARE LOVED. ❤️ ✝️ ❤️
For the best Biblical teaching in the last 2 centuries! Please listen to and down load these FREE audio files that were created with YOU in mind. It's ALL FREE, if you like it, please share it with others. ❤️
archive.org/details/PeopleToPeopleByBobGeorgeFREE-ARCHIVE...
CLICK ON THE LETTER "L" TO ENLARGE.
My THANK'S to all Flickr friends who fave and/or commented on my photos, I very much appreciate it! ❤️
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Baku, Azerbaijan
I thought I'd fill you all in on the events of this day... which has nothing to do with my picture except to say it was the culmination of a very long day!
Our flight out of Istanbul's new International airport was early morning which meant an even earlier get-up and check-in. The hotel booked us a taxi from the front door and off we set. Now we'd enquired about travel times to the airport as this was just on the cusp of the rush-hour start. Typically the airport run is about 30 minutes away but we were advised to allow 40 minutes just in case of traffic build up. This was going to be no problem - we always plan ahead, unfortunately our taxi driver had other ideas.
Having studied all about velocity, mass and momentum at college, I/we always put on seatbelts front or back but these seemed inadequate in this particular taxi... a full four-way racing harness would have been better. Whether someone had just beaten his airport run pole time we'll never know but he was sure as hell intent on regaining it this very morning!
Speed signs and limits were just for other drivers this morning as we hurtled down the main highway out of the Sultanahmet. He was only forced to brake when we came across what looked like a road block or accident... mainly lorries for some reason! We came to a stop in the outer lane only for our driver to crunch his gearbox into reverse and driver backwards down the road before we had chance to compute what the hell was going on. We passed a break in the central reservation Armco barrier... low and behold back into first gear and drove through the gap!
So there we were driving up the wrong side of the road with cars coming head on, flashing their headlights (who wouldn't in a situation like this) darting out of the way for this madman.
"What the hell (please insert fruitier language here) are you doing!!!" I shouted or was it screamed to the driver as we both looked for grab handles and planned for the brace position. "It's ok, this shortcut and I put hazard light on"
That's ok then, I thought, perfectly understandable! What seemed like an eternity could only have been about 400 yards for we quickly passed the road block which turned to be a lane closure for road works and the "good" traffic had filtering into the one lane at the crossroads.
Just to keep the tension on heart attack levels we darted back onto the right side of the highway without a consideration for the lights or who had right of way. We sat in stunned silence with our hands gripped vice-like to the roof handles in fear. The rest of journey was somewhat of an anticlimax after that incident albeit at breakneck speed. We arrived in 22 minutes dead... he seemed pleased with himself so I assumed he had just regained pole position. I paid him the fare... I didn't give a tip!
The flight was pretty uneventful except to mention it was full of gymnasts on their way to a competition in Baku. The young South Korean girl gymnast in the seat next to Mrs R was clearly very excited for she practiced her floor routine in her seat for the full duration of the flight... with that dedication I hope she won a medal!
Fast forward to Baku...
Taxis in Baku are wonderful compared to our last one. The state owned ones are Hackney carriages, like in the UK, but purple in colour. Fees are all fixed and very cheap compared to UK black cabs... you can, however, hail private cabs but run the risk of getting ripped off by as much as 1 or 2 Manats (50p or £1), the choice is yours!
We got a purple cab from the airport to our hotel - the Flame Towers, and passed the very reason I wanted to come to Baku in the first place on route, but that's another story. Our hotel is simply a jaw dropping example of modern architecture that reflects the economic wealth of Azerbaijan in oil and gas hence the flame design. We had paid for an upgraded room for a sea view and upon checking in, the hotel had upgraded us to a suite... without wanting to sound gloaty it was bigger than the footprint of our home.
We don't squander time when on holiday and headed out after a very quick unpack and freshen up, which leads to this picture and the previous one. The afternoon was spent gaining our bearings and wandering down the promenade and into town. It was late afternoon and we hadn't eaten so the first diner we came across that took care of that. By the time we came out the light was fading and so we decided to head back to our hotel. It's at this point we realised how high the hotel is situated and it's a bit of a hike up the hills. When we eventually arrived back it was dark and we felt a little disappointed that the three towers weren't illuminated. I must confess I hadn't researched whether these were only illuminated for special occasions or a nightly show... we needed have worried! By the time we exited the lift, we pass a glass fronted balcony overlooking the sea and the opposite tower on the way to our room - the show was in full swing!
I hadn't planned on going out first night for photography as this wasn't that sort of holiday but how could I by-pass the opportunity. "I take it you'll need your tripod?"... bless her!
So we went out into the night... by the way this was Mrs R's idea and the picture her's as well.
Circuit Zandvoort, The Netherlands
Fineally, I saw my first Enzo by Ferrari!!
Please make some useful comments and/ or fave my photo if you like.
Fynn looks quite serious here but he was only sleepy. He had positioned himself on some flowers because for whatever reason he loves to take a nap there (see photo in the comments). It's a daily ritual and the flowers have given up in the meantime. They remain on the floor, ready to serve as Fynn's pillow at any time. :)
my workshop on my Facebook just like ;-) Clic Here
my 500px Clic Here
Origins
Although there are no historical records that deal directly with the founding of Venice,[10] tradition and the available evidence have led several historians to agree that the original population of Venice consisted of refugees from Roman cities near Venice such as Padua, Aquileia, Treviso, Altino and Concordia (modern Portogruaro) and from the undefended countryside, who were fleeing successive waves of Germanic and Hun invasions.[11] Some late Roman sources reveal the existence of fishermen on the islands in the original marshy lagoons. They were referred to as incolae lacunae ("lagoon dwellers"). The traditional founding is identified with the dedication of the first church, that of San Giacomo at the islet of Rialto (Rivoalto, "High Shore"), which is said to have been at the stroke of noon on 25 March 421.[12][13]
The last and most enduring immigration into the north of the Italian peninsula was that of the Lombards in 568, leaving the Eastern Roman Empire a small strip of coast in the current Veneto, including Venice. The Roman/Byzantine territory was organized as the Exarchate of Ravenna, administered from that ancient port and overseen by a viceroy (the Exarch) appointed by the Emperor in Constantinople, but Ravenna and Venice were connected only by sea routes and with the Venetians' isolated position came increasing autonomy. New ports were built, including those at Malamocco and Torcello in the Venetian lagoon. The tribuni maiores, the earliest central standing governing committee of the islands in the Lagoon, dated from c. 568.[14]
The traditional first doge of Venice, Paolo Lucio Anafesto, was actually Exarch Paul, and his successor, Marcello Tegalliano, Paul's magister militum (General; literally, "Master of Soldiers.") In 726 the soldiers and citizens of the Exarchate rose in a rebellion over the iconoclastic controversy at the urging of Pope Gregory II. The Exarch was murdered and many officials put to flight in the chaos. At about this time, the people of the lagoon elected their own leader for the first time, although the relationship of this ascent to the uprisings is not clear. Ursus would become the first of 117 "doges" (doge is the Venetian dialect development of the Latin dux ("leader"); the corresponding word in English is duke, in standard Italian duce.) Whatever his original views, Ursus supported Emperor Leo's successful military expedition to recover Ravenna, sending both men and ships. In recognition, Venice was "granted numerous privileges and concessions" and Ursus, who had personally taken the field, was confirmed by Leo as dux[15] and given the added title of hypatus (Greek for "Consul".)[16]
In 751, the Lombard King Aistulf conquered most of the Exarchate of Ravenna, leaving Venice a lonely and increasingly autonomous Byzantine outpost. During this period, the seat of the local Byzantine governor (the "duke/dux", later "doge"), was situated in Malamocco. Settlement on the islands in the lagoon probably increased in correspondence with the Lombard conquest of other Byzantine territories as refugees sought asylum in the lagoon city. In 775/776, the episcopal seat of Olivolo (Helipolis) was created. During the reign of duke Agnello Particiaco (811–827), the ducal seat was moved from Malamocco to the highly protected Rialto, the current location of Venice. The monastery of St. Zachary and the first ducal palace and basilica of St. Mark, as well as a walled defense (civitatis murus) between Olivolo and Rialto, were subsequently built here. Winged lions, which may be seen throughout Venice, are a symbol for St. Mark.
Charlemagne sought to subdue the city to his own rule. He ordered the Pope to expel the Venetians from the Pentapolis along the Adriatic coast,[17] and Charlemagne's own son Pepin of Italy, king of the Lombards under the authority of his father, embarked on a siege of Venice itself. This, however, proved a costly failure. The siege lasted six months, with Pepin's army ravaged by the diseases of the local swamps and eventually forced to withdraw. A few months later, Pepin himself died, apparently as a result of a disease contracted there. In the aftermath, an agreement between Charlemagne and Nicephorus in 814 recognized Venice as Byzantine territory and granted the city trading rights along the Adriatic coast.
In 828, the new city's prestige was raised by the acquisition of the claimed relics of St. Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria, which were placed in the new basilica. The patriarchal seat was also moved to Rialto. As the community continued to develop and as Byzantine power waned, it led to the growth of autonomy and eventual independence.[18]
Expansion
Piazza San Marco in Venice, with St Mark's Campanile and Basilica in the background
These Horses of Saint Mark are a replica of the Triumphal Quadriga captured in Constantinople in 1204 and carried to Venice as a trophy.
From the 9th to the 12th century, Venice developed into a city state (an Italian thalassocracy or Repubblica Marinara, the other three being Genoa, Pisa, and Amalfi). Its strategic position at the head of the Adriatic made Venetian naval and commercial power almost invulnerable. With the elimination of pirates along the Dalmatian coast, the city became a flourishing trade center between Western Europe and the rest of the world (especially the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world).
The Republic of Venice seized a number of places on the eastern shores of the Adriatic before 1200, mostly for commercial reasons, because pirates based there were a menace to trade. The Doge already carried the titles of Duke of Dalmatia and Duke of Istria. Later mainland possessions, which extended across Lake Garda as far west as the Adda River, were known as the "Terraferma", and were acquired partly as a buffer against belligerent neighbours, partly to guarantee Alpine trade routes, and partly to ensure the supply of mainland wheat, on which the city depended. In building its maritime commercial empire, the Republic dominated the trade in salt,[19] acquired control of most of the islands in the Aegean, including Cyprus and Crete, and became a major power-broker in the Near East. By the standards of the time, Venice's stewardship of its mainland territories was relatively enlightened and the citizens of such towns as Bergamo, Brescia and Verona rallied to the defence of Venetian sovereignty when it was threatened by invaders.
Venice remained closely associated with Constantinople, being twice granted trading privileges in the Eastern Roman Empire, through the so-called Golden Bulls or 'chrysobulls' in return for aiding the Eastern Empire to resist Norman and Turkish incursions. In the first chrysobull, Venice acknowledged its homage to the Empire but not in the second, reflecting the decline of Byzantium and the rise of Venice's power.[20][21]
Venice became an imperial power following the Fourth Crusade, which, having veered off course, culminated in 1204 by capturing and sacking Constantinople and establishing the Latin Empire. As a result of this conquest, considerable Byzantine plunder was brought back to Venice. This plunder included the gilt bronze horses from the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which were originally placed above the entrance to St Mark's cathedral in Venice, although the originals have been replaced with replicas and are now stored within the basilica. Following the fall of Constantinople, the former Roman Empire was partitioned among the Latin crusaders and the Venetians. Venice subsequently carved out a sphere of influence in the Mediterranean known as the Duchy of the Archipelago, and captured Crete.[22]
The seizure of Constantinople would ultimately prove as decisive a factor in ending the Byzantine Empire as the loss of the Anatolian themes after Manzikert. Although the Byzantines recovered control of the ravaged city a half century later, the Byzantine Empire was terminally weakened, and existed as a ghost of its old self until Sultan Mehmet The Conqueror took the city in 1453.
View of San Giorgio Maggiore Island from St. Mark's Campanile
Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Venice always traded extensively with the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim world. By the late 13th century, Venice was the most prosperous city in all of Europe. At the peak of its power and wealth, it had 36,000 sailors operating 3,300 ships, dominating Mediterranean commerce. During this time, Venice's leading families vied with each other to build the grandest palaces and support the work of the greatest and most talented artists. The city was governed by the Great Council, which was made up of members of the noble families of Venice. The Great Council appointed all public officials and elected a Senate of 200 to 300 individuals. Since this group was too large for efficient administration, a Council of Ten (also called the Ducal Council or the Signoria), controlled much of the administration of the city. One member of the great council was elected "Doge", or duke, the ceremonial head of the city, who normally held the title until his death.
The Venetian governmental structure was similar in some ways to the republican system of ancient Rome, with an elected chief executive (the Doge), a senate-like assembly of nobles, and a mass of citizens with limited political power, who originally had the power to grant or withhold their approval of each newly elected Doge. Church and various private properties were tied to military service, although there was no knight tenure within the city itself. The Cavalieri di San Marco was the only order of chivalry ever instituted in Venice, and no citizen could accept or join a foreign order without the government's consent. Venice remained a republic throughout its independent period, and politics and the military were kept separate, except when on occasion the Doge personally headed the military. War was regarded as a continuation of commerce by other means (hence, the city's early production of large numbers of mercenaries for service elsewhere, and later its reliance on foreign mercenaries when the ruling class was preoccupied with commerce).
Francesco Guardi, The Grand Canal, 1760 (Art Institute of Chicago)
The chief executive was the Doge, who theoretically held his elective office for life. In practice, several Doges were forced by pressure from their oligarchical peers to resign the office and retire into monastic seclusion when they were felt to have been discredited by perceived political failure.
Although the people of Venice generally remained orthodox Roman Catholics, the state of Venice was notable for its freedom from religious fanaticism and it enacted not a single execution for religious heresy during the Counter-Reformation. This apparent lack of zeal contributed to Venice's frequent conflicts with the Papacy. In this context, the writings of the Anglican Divine, William Bedell, are particularly illuminating. Venice was threatened with the interdict on a number of occasions and twice suffered its imposition. The second, most famous, occasion was in 1606, by order of Pope Paul V.
Venetian ambassadors sent home still-extant secret reports of the politics and rumours of European courts, providing fascinating information to modern historians.
The newly invented German printing press spread rapidly throughout Europe in the 15th century, and Venice was quick to adopt it. By 1482, Venice was the printing capital of the world, and the leading printer was Aldus Manutius, who invented the concept of paperback books that could be carried in a saddlebag. His Aldine Editions included translations of nearly all the known Greek manuscripts of the era.[23]
Decline
The Grand Canal in Venice
Venice's long decline started in the 15th century, when it first made an unsuccessful attempt to hold Thessalonica against the Ottomans (1423–1430). It also sent ships to help defend Constantinople against the besieging Turks (1453). After Constantinople fell to Sultan Mehmet II he declared war on Venice. The war lasted thirty years and cost Venice much of its eastern Mediterranean possessions. Next, Christopher Columbus discovered the New World. Then Portugal found a sea route to India, destroying Venice's land route monopoly. France, England and the Dutch Republic followed them. Venice's oared galleys were at a disadvantage when it came to traversing the great oceans, and therefore Venice was left behind in the race for colonies.
The Black Death devastated Venice in 1348 and once again between 1575 and 1577.[24] In three years the plague killed some 50,000 people.[25] In 1630, the plague killed a third of Venice's 150,000 citizens.[26] Venice began to lose its position as a center of international trade during the later part of the Renaissance as Portugal became Europe's principal intermediary in the trade with the East, striking at the very foundation of Venice's great wealth, while France and Spain fought for hegemony over Italy in the Italian Wars, marginalising its political influence. However, the Venetian empire was a major exporter of agricultural products and, until the mid-18th century, a significant manufacturing center.
Modern age[edit source | editbeta]
A map of the sestiere of San Marco
The Republic lost independence when Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Venice on 12 May 1797 during the First Coalition. The French conqueror brought to an end the most fascinating century of its history: during the 18th century, Venice became perhaps the most elegant and refined city in Europe, greatly influencing art, architecture and literature. Napoleon was seen as something of a liberator by the city's Jewish population, although it can be argued they had lived with fewer restrictions in Venice. He removed the gates of the Ghetto and ended the restrictions on when and where Jews could live and travel in the city.
Venice became Austrian territory when Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio on 12 October 1797. The Austrians took control of the city on 18 January 1798. It was taken from Austria by the Treaty of Pressburg in 1805 and became part of Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, but was returned to Austria following Napoleon's defeat in 1814, when it became part of the Austrian-held Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. In 1848–1849, a revolt briefly reestablished the Venetian Republic under Daniele Manin. In 1866, following the Third Italian War of Independence, Venice, along with the rest of the Veneto, became part of the newly created Kingdom of Italy.
During the Second World War, the historic city was largely free from attack, the only aggressive effort of note being Operation Bowler, a successful Royal Air Force precision strike on the German naval operations there in March 1945. The targets were destroyed with virtually no architectural damage done the city itself.[27] However the industrial areas in Mestre and Marghera and the railway lines to Padua, Trieste and Trento were repeatedly bombed.[28] On 29 April 1945, New Zealand troops under Freyberg reached Venice and relieved the city and the mainland, which were already in partisan hands.[29]
Subsidence[edit source | editbeta]
Further information: Acqua alta
Acqua alta or high water in Venice.
Venice and surroundings in false colour, from Terra. The picture is oriented with North at the top.
Foundations
The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced wooden piles. Most of these piles are still intact after centuries of submersion. The foundations rest on the piles, and buildings of brick or stone sit above these footings. The piles penetrate a softer layer of sand and mud until they reach a much harder layer of compressed clay.
Submerged by water, in oxygen-poor conditions, wood does not decay as rapidly as on the surface.
Most of these piles were made from trunks of alder trees,[30] a wood noted for its water resistance.[31] The alder came from the westernmost part of today's Slovenia (resulting in the barren land of the Kras region), in two regions of Croatia, Lika and Gorski kotar (resulting in the barren slopes of Velebit) and south of Montenegro.[citation needed] Leonid Grigoriev has stated that Russian larch was imported to build some of Venice's foundations.[32] Larch is also used in the production of Venice turpentine.[33]
History[edit source | editbeta]
The city is often threatened by flood tides pushing in from the Adriatic between autumn and early spring. Six hundred years ago, Venetians protected themselves from land-based attacks by diverting all the major rivers flowing into the lagoon and thus preventing sediment from filling the area around the city. This created an ever-deeper lagoon environment.
In 1604, to defray the cost of flood relief, Venice introduced what could be considered the first example of a 'stamp tax'. When the revenue fell short of expectations in 1608, Venice introduced paper with the superscription 'AQ' and imprinted instructions, which was to be used for 'letters to officials'. At first, this was to be a temporary tax, but it remained in effect until the fall of the Republic in 1797. Shortly after the introduction of the tax, Spain produced similar paper for general taxation purposes, and the practice spread to other countries.
During the 20th century, when many artesian wells were sunk into the periphery of the lagoon to draw water for local industry, Venice began to subside. It was realised that extraction of water from the aquifer was the cause. The sinking has slowed markedly since artesian wells were banned in the 1960s. However, the city is still threatened by more frequent low-level floods (called Acqua alta, "high water") that creep to a height of several centimetres over its quays, regularly following certain tides. In many old houses, the former staircases used to unload goods are now flooded, rendering the former ground floor uninhabitable.
Some recent studies have suggested that the city is no longer sinking,[34][35] but this is not yet certain; therefore, a state of alert has not been revoked. In May 2003, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi inaugurated the MOSE project (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico), an experimental model for evaluating the performance of hollow floatable gates; the idea is to fix a series of 78 hollow pontoons to the sea bed across the three entrances to the lagoon. When tides are predicted to rise above 110 centimetres, the pontoons will be filled with air, causing them to float and block the incoming water from the Adriatic Sea. This engineering work is due to be completed by 2014.[36]
Geography
Sestieri of Venice:
Cannaregio
Castello
Dorsoduro
San Marco
San Polo
Santa Croce
The historical city is divided into six areas or "sestiere" (while the whole comune (municipality) is divided into 6 boroughs of which one is composed of all 6 sestiere). These are Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro (including the Giudecca and Isola Sacca Fisola), Santa Croce, San Marco (including San Giorgio Maggiore) and Castello (including San Pietro di Castello and Sant'Elena). Each sestiere was administered by a procurator and his staff. Nowadays each sestiere is a statistic and historical area without any degree of autonomy.
These districts consist of parishes – initially seventy in 1033, but reduced under Napoleon and now numbering just thirty-eight. These parishes predate the sestieri, which were created in about 1170.
Other islands of the Venetian Lagoon do not form part of any of the sestieri, having historically enjoyed a considerable degree of autonomy.
Each sestiere has its own house numbering system. Each house has a unique number in the district, from one to several thousand, generally numbered from one corner of the area to another, but not usually in a readily understandable manner.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Venice has a Humid subtropical climate (Cfa), with cool winters and very warm summers. The 24-hour average in January is 2.5 °C (36.5 °F), and for July this figure is 22.7 °C (72.9 °F). Precipitation is spread relatively evenly throughout the year, and averages 801 millimetres (31.5 in).