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my SIL dearest sent me some easter type prezzies. this is most intriguing. according to the state of crystals inside, you can tell the weather. of course i shook it up before i got the instructions, so i have no clue if it all works. i'll see if i can get a better picture thru the glass of the crystals, later
“To hell with them. When history is written they will be the sons of bitches - not I”~Harry S. Truman
I had a premonition. Whenever I thought about our upcoming riverboat cruise on the Blue Danube two images came to mind: Bratislava and my father-in-law John suffering a heart attack while we were there.
12 April, Friday 2013
We set sail from Vienna at midnight and arrive in Bratislava at six in the morning.
7:00 a.m.
I am the first to leave our cabin on the ship and when I see that John's door is open and his clothes are on the floor by the bathroom I am alarmed and alert Chris who is not far behind me. But, I carry on to the lounge to finish writing post cards - there are only two days left on the cruise - we are due to return from Budapest, Hungary after breakfast on Sunday morning. The end of an eight day trip.
When I am done I climb downstairs to the dining lounge to look for Chris and John. After I walk around the entire room I joke to the last couple seated by the door that it is not like my husband and father-in-law to skip a meal.
The first thing I see is John's empty bed and when I realize that he has lost control of his bodily functions I know this is serious. John, who is wearing white boxer shorts and a white tee-shirt, is sitting in a chair by the bed and Chris is standing by. Chris tells me that his father has had a really bad night and that he needs to go to the hospital. The staff has been alerted and the paramedics are on their way.
John is sweating profusely and struggling to breathe,. He remembers me opening the window. I move to his side and ask him if this is all right. “Yes,” he says, “I’m dying.” Doctor’s have a name for this conviction: Angor animi, Latin for ‘anguish of the soul’. According to Dr. Gavin Francis, “as a sensation it carries great predictive power”. In the emergency room a patient’s belief that they are about to die is taken seriously.
I place my right hand on the nape of his neck and my left hand on his forehead while I assess the situation. John is drenched in sweat. I race to the bathroom sink and wet two wash cloths and place one behind his neck and he takes the other to wipe his face and head. Then he returns to bed, which is one step away, but he does not slide down far enough and his head is in an awkward position.
Most people know not to lay someone with breathing problems flat and John is struggling. I show Chris, who is about to pull his father forward, how to reposition John by reaching under his armpit and grasping his back. This works and together we are able to move his upper body forward. I place a pillow so that John is able to sit up.
Again I place my right hand on the nape of his neck and my left hand on his forehead. “I'm dying," he repeats "No you're not," I say this as though it is a ridiculous thing to do. I'm thinking, we’re on a cruise! John says that he can’t breathe and that he has water on the lungs. We can hear what doctors call the death rattle, when saliva accumulates in the throat.
I am loathe to tell my father-in-law what to do and when he mentions that he quit taking his diuretic as prescribed I do not say a word. But, now I remind him, “Once you receive your medication you will feel all right again”. I say this reassuringly.
I encourage Chris to make John’s bag of prescription drugs available - the doctors will want to know the names and the dosages. I grab fresh towels from the cart in the hall and cover John and the bed.
The Prestige is due to set sail at noon and I know it is going to leave without us so I suggest we start packing. First I send Chris across the hall to our room. I watch through the open door as our things are hastily thrown together. I call him back and suggest he pack for John - that way he can stay by his father’s side.
We are all set to go when the paramedics arrive with Peter, the twenty-five year old Slovakian waiter from the dining room who serves as our translator. As the paramedics work their magic I move partially onto the bed, close to John’s right ear, and explain what is happening. “There are three paramedics here and a doctor,” I tell him. This turned out not to be completely true - there was no doctor. John opens his eyes for a moment and smiles. "Good" he says. "I like a lot of attention." This is true.
Chris later told me that when he first saw his father John was seated on the toilet. He told Chris that he needed a minute - he had a bad night - and he said that he needed to go to Stanford Hospital right away.
Chris told a cleaning staff member who was in the hallway that his father needed a medical doctor. Wesley, the activities coordinator, came and told Chris that there was not a doctor available who could come to the ship, he had two choices. John could have an appointment with the doctor at 11 a.m. or he could go to the emergency room. Chris asked Wesley to call for an ambulance - John needed to go to the emergency room.
By this time John had made his way to the chair where Chris had placed a towel. He told Chris that he thought he had died last night. He woke up sweating, he could not urinate, he was in pain and he had difficulty walking and breathing. He said he was very uncomfortable and he just wanted to die.
John leaves the ship in a sling chair, as he is being wheeled through the lobby Artur, (this is not a typo) the Portuguese manager, tells me not to worry about the cost - Viking will take care of it. “Keep on thinking positive,” he says, “and everything it will be okay.”
7:54 a.m.
Two ambulances - sirens wailing - John and Peter in one, and Chris and I in another arrive at the University Hospital Old Town (Univerzitná Nemonica Staré Mesto). We are in the medieval center of Bratislava.
8:18 a.m.
After a brief stay in the emergency room John is wheeled to the coronary care unit (Interná Klinika Koronárna Jednotka). As he is about to enter the elevator he turns to Chris and says, "Remember what I said earlier about wanting to die, well I changed my mind."
10:17 a.m.
Dr. Papinčák, who is studiously calm and attentive, does not take his eyes off me as he speaks, his gaze is piercing. He informs me that John may be able to fly home on Monday with a medical assistant. He is concerned about the high altitude. John suffers from congestive heart failure (CHF).
“One of the most important problems for travelers with congestive heart failure is altitude... All patients should be able to walk 100 yards and climb 12 steps if they are to attempt a long plane flight. Heart failure patients may also be particularly susceptible to the symptoms of altitude sickness, which may include shortness of breath and profound fatigue. In general, patients with congestive heart failure should avoid traveling to locations at high altitudes.” - Internet Scientific Publications. The Internet Journal of Health ISSN: 1528-8315 Travel Concerns For Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Patients.
10:30 a.m.
Chris uses the hospital’s computer to email his sisters. Typists beware, the z and the y are reversed and the apostrophe and the @ symbol are no where to be found.
“Dad maz have had a heart attack last night. He is okaz now, in the hospital... if it will help with medical evacuation.... I would like to get him to Stanford... I think he had a heart attack in his sleep earlz this morning. It is fridaz at ten thirtz here and I§m using the computer at the hospital. I will also trz to make phone calls and e=mail, but communications are difficult right now.” - Chris’ email
11:00 a.m.
While Chris is typing Dr. Papinčák comes out to the hall to tell me that John is asleep. As we leave the hospital with our bags a grounds worker Feró, points us in the direction of the Hotel Saffron. This four star hotel is located just around the corner from the hospital and the Staré Město (Old Town) is a fifteen minute walk in the other direction. There are shops, markets, ATM’s, restaurants and cafe’s in between. Everything is within walking distance.
At this point we feel tremendous gratitude. First of all, we are grateful that we are docked when the heart attack happens, secondly that the paramedics respond quickly, and thirdly that Chris has family to help with the logistics. And, we feel grateful to be in a position where we are able to stay in Bratislava for as long as it takes for John to recover and deemed fit to fly. We see nothing but the positives and we are excited. Exploring medieval Bratislava will serve as a good distraction and our eight day trip has turned into an indefinite adventure - my favorite kind.
2:45 p.m.
I skip lunch but as Chris orders the Pakistani behind the counter seriously wonders, “What are you doing in Bratislava?”
3:30 p.m.
Back at the hospital I monitor the activity in the hallway while I give Chris and John time alone. If there are any last words that need to be spoken now is the time.
4:15 p.m.
Despite the double expressos and the warm overcast spring afternoon (good for photography) once we settle into our room we are unable to leave the hotel. For the first time ever we decide to settle in early.
While Chris figures out how to call his sister using FaceTime I watch racy and fast paced MTV videos on the television. When the rain starts to fall softly I soak in a hot bath. Our large window opens wide - we do not realize that we are facing southwest until the moon sets. It does not get dark until 9:30 p.m.
13 April, Saturday
The big questions are; how much damage was caused to John’s already congested heart, what are John’s chances of recovering from pneumonia, which we just learn he has, and when is he going to be well enough to travel home? There are no immediate answers forthcoming as the doctors need information on John’s previous condition.
While Chris sits with his father I visit an ancient who is laying in the bed closest to the door. I am pleased to learn that she speaks German, all the older people do she tells me - that was until the communists came to rule in 1945 and stayed until 1989 - now that generation speaks Russian as a second language. This woman, who has two sons, tells me that she has an uncle and relatives who live in “cosmopolitan” Canada, Toronto.
14 April, Sunday
We learn that ejection fraction measures how much volume the heart pumps with each beat, 55% to 6o% is considered normal and 20% is too low. John’s ejection fraction in his left ventricle, is 20-25% , it was 35%. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a blood protein that indicates inflammation of the arteries. Levels rise in response to inflammation. You are at high risk for heart disease if your CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L. John’s levels reach 140mg/L. And, his leucocyte levels, which measures the number of white blood cells and indicates infection, are high.
I have a private talk with Dr. Kašperová. I would like to know what are John’s chances of survival. She tells me that culture is growing in lab - soon they will know specific antibiotic to give him. The doctor thinks a two week stay is optimistic. What is most essential at this point besides hydration is for John to be optimistic. She believes his survival depends on this.
Today John is NOT feeling optimistic, he wants out by weeks end. He does not know that he is looking at a two week minimum stay and we are not going to tell him. And, he is concerned that he has no appetite. This does not bode well for John. “Your body is trying to heal,” I tell him. This is what I told my friend Carol when she expressed the same concern a week before she died of congestive heart failure on 23 May 2012. But, we just brought him hot soup and he is eating after two days of no food. It is not until later that we learn restaurant soup is verboten - too much salt.
Today is my mother’s 79th birthday. It does not occur to me until now that I can send her emails using Chris’ iPhone. I write: Father-in-law John had a heart attack on Friday and he is in the hospital in Bratislava. We will stay in Slovakia until John is well enough to travel. In hindsight, emailing my mother would have been a good opportunity to write and keep track of our adventures. Viking had kept us busy starting early every morning. It was a great trip while it lasted, in fact, everything was much better than we expected and we only missed the last two days.
Except for the ubiquitous and jumbo sized chocolate chip cookies (yes, there is such a thing) I like the small portions of food Viking serves, although John informs me that not everyone is of the same opinion. And, not being a big meat eater, I look forward to the hot rueben sandwich which is on the menu for tomorrow’s lunch. “You know I’m not supposed to eat that,” John tells me, “Too much salt, but I’m going to, I eat whatever I want.” This is not the first time John brags about his see-food diet. The last time it happened he ended up in the hospital with a heart attack. I predicted that would happen. The body keeps count.
The first few days we stay with John only briefly as he is tired and sleeps most of the time. We start the routine of dropping off a decaf latte in the morning which progresses to one in the afternoon, and everyday we bring him food and the International Herald Tribune.
Near the end, as a treat, we buy him a New Yorker 12.50 € ($17.00) which John has subscribed to for almost sixty years, and a Time magazine which features the 100 most influential people in the world. When we are not hunting for food and gathering reading material for John we explore the medieval city center of Bratislava and I start to learn the Slovakian language.
The Slovakian word for thank you is Ďakujem. I have one of the nurses on my voice recorder repeating this word over and over again. I admit that it took me one long week to learn how to say ďakujem without thinking - that is how difficult this word is to pronounce and why the locals are so appreciative when we make the effort. The Slovakians and the Slovenians use ‘Prosím' for please and there are some other similarities, but the Slovakian language uses diacritics that I have never seen before. My curiosity is piqued.
15 April, Monday
It is a huge relief to see that John is feeling much better this morning after he briefly lost his optimism. For the first time yesterday we saw the possibility of darkness settling in. But, I notice that the right side of his body is bloated.
“We visited Dad this morning and he is doing noticeably better than yesterday. He is more alert and energetic, and his appetite is better. He has bronchial pneumonia in the right lung which is being treated with two antibiotics. He appreciates everyone's concerns and good wishes. Once the pneumonia clears up and he is stronger we can go home. Although he wants to go home he realizes that he is too weak to travel.” - Chris’ email
“Dr. Papinčák says it’s too soon for Dad to walk, that he needs to start by spending more time sitting up, physical therapy will start tomorrow. When we visit in the morning we will have him sit up with his legs over the side of the bed and his feet on the floor. He said that Dad is improving, responding to the antibiotics as measured by a lower CRP number. He also said that his heart was not damaged that much more by this heart attack as measured by the EF number. Finally he said that Dad may be ready to travel by Friday or Saturday. We brought him OJ, salad, decaf latte, a blueberry muffin and the Herald Tribune, everything he wanted. Things are going as well and as fast as they can go for now. We are optimistic. - Chris’ email
16 April, Tuesday
We wake up to the news that terrorists attacked the Boston Marathon. We feel safe in Bratislava.
John is definitely making progress. He is one tough Greek and I tell him so, but he is not convinced. “Wait until we’re in the air,” he says not realizing the potential danger that lies ahead. I notice that he is not coughing. The double dose of two different antibiotics must be working and the right side of his body is not as swollen.
“We are going to get an update from the doctor in the morning and hopefully an approximate timeline for when Dad might be able to travel. He is very much hoping to leave Friday, but I don't know about that. While he is clearly improving each day he still has pneumonia and is very weak.” - Chris’ email
Today I discover that Dr. Kašperová understands every word of the German language but, like her English, she struggles to speak. The first thing she tells me, without any prompting on my part, is that John is not going anywhere in a hurry.
17 April, Wednesday
This morning Dr. Kašperová introduces us to her daughter Julia a blonde medical student who speaks English well. This is a teaching hospital and Julia is studying to become a cardiologist just like her parents. Her grandfather Julius was one of the founders and the main cardiologist in the Slovak Cardiovascular Centre in the former Czecho-Slovakia. In two years she will complete her studies. Julia is twenty-three years old.
10:00
Chris buys a disposable telephone at T-Mobile on Ivánska cesta 12, John’s daughters are eager to speak with him. This turns out to be a good call as John’s spirits lift and for the first time he sits up in bed with his feet flat on the floor.
It is a little after 4 p.m. when the first call is made. Church bells are chiming, sirens are wailing and John is coughing, a dry hacking cough that does not let up. “ It’s bad.” he tells them. He would like to go straight to Stanford hospital when he arrives in San Francisco.
Chris wonders how I know that to call abroad from Slovakia one must dial 00 - the exit code.
Today we learn that we must pay the hospital bill in full and in cash on the day we leave. The University Hospital does not accept credit cards. Dr. Kašperová will give us an estimate after she speaks with the billing department.
The first option we look into is a money transfer. Western Union is surprisingly expensive, so we go next door to the bank, the only one in the area that deals with money transfers. For a surprisingly small amount we are able to open an account. But, we think this is too complicated, and the bank does do not open until 9 a.m. Instead, John gives us his password and twice daily we withdraw the cash limit from both of our accounts.
A few days later Dr. Kašperová tells us that the daily cost of staying in the University Hospital is 113€ ($150.00) plus medicines and procedures such as x-rays and electrocardiograms. We will not know the final cost until the day we leave.
John urges Chris to build-up a cash reserve of $3,000€ and then changes it to $4,000€. Chris is hesitant, he thinks this is too much. I want that Chris should take his father’s advice as I am not convinced that John is going to make it home alive. This will not be the first in flight death we will have experienced. Once we had to make an emergency landing in Goose Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. I wonder how complicated it will be to have John cremated, how much it will cost and in which country it will happen. We are told, by someone who knows, not to tell the airlines that we are traveling with a high risk passenger.
18 April, Thursday
John continues to make great strides. Today he walked across the room and back and he was wheeled outside into the sunshine to the radiology department to be x-rayed (antiquated is the word he used) and his catheter was removed. We are all happy about this.
This morning Dr. Kašperová tells me that John, who is eager to leave, can go home whenever he wants. I think this is good reverse psychology and I was going to use it on him. When I tell him that he can go home whenever he wants, John says, "Let's wait and see what the doctors say.”
More drama today when we find out that John’s eighty-nine year old brother, Spiro, has passed away. We suspect that, if not for John’s pacemaker, he and his brother would have died one day apart.
Poor Chris, there have been some difficult moments for him. We are on the street in Bratislava when his sister calls to tell him the news. This is not easy for Chris as he loves his uncle Spiro.
I am a little surprised this afternoon when John asks what else was said during this conversation - I was not expecting Chris to tell him unless he asked the specific question. John had made it clear that he did not want to hear anything about Spiro while he was on the trip. Chris finds this moment too difficult so, just like a scene in a movie, I lean in close, gently place my hand on John’s right shoulder and whisper in his ear, “Spiro died.” John, staring off into space, does not say a word. “That’s why we looked so glum when we arrived,” I tell him “I hadn’t noticed.” John replies taking a quick glance over his right shoulder. This is where I stand.
Two years ago John threw an eighty-fifth birthday party for himself and invited his close family and friends. At the end of the bash one of the questions I was asked was, who is this woman, a mother of two, with the same last name. John, a psychologist who spent twenty-five years in analysis, never thinks to introduce his children.
“You might have introduced your children, “ I say to John as we all pile into the car early the next morning. “People were wondering why …” I get cut-off as everyone agrees. A good idea too late, but it makes no difference, no one feels slighted.
John, who lives in Palo Alto, California feels grateful that he flew to New York City the week before our Danube cruise to reminisce with Spiro after he refused further treatment for lung cancer.
Near the end of his life Spiro was engulfed by blindness. In part, his obituary read, “Even while struggling with his blindness, Spiro could not be deterred. Throughout the rigorous training at the Guide Dog Foundation, Spiro rallied his classmates, transforming a tense and strenuous course into one filled with laughter and friendship. In appreciation, his classmates named him the honorary “Chief” of the fictitious [Where the?] Fugawe Tribe. It was one of his proudest achievements.” - The Suffolk Times
Uncle Spiro worked on the Manhattan project. It says so in the Suffolk Times. Chris says he’s known all along, but he does not know more.
We were told that Spiro died in peace and he was joking up to the end. The service was last Wednesday, the church was full and it was a gloriously beautiful day. Aunt Joan, who also has lung cancer, won’t last another three months.
I tell Dr. Kašperová in private and in my limited German, that John's brother Spiro died. And, I tell her that he had requested that he not be told, but since he had asked about him the other day and if he were to ask again we were going to tell him. I want her to know just in case John finds the news too depressing - she can knock him out. The doctor agrees, John should know, and she wants to know how he died. Then she tells me that every day when she comes to work she wonders if John is still alive. Dr. Kašperová explains the obvious: John ist alt und er ist krank mit schlechten Herz. John is old and he is sick with a bad heart.
4:00 p.m.
Chris is exhausted and he would like to return to the hotel, but I discourage this with wide-open eyes. This is not a good time to leave, John has just learned that his brother has died. Chris agrees and sits back down.
We spend the next three hours by John's side as he reminisces. I mention that he is the last of three brothers to survive. John tells me this is something he is going to think about. The eldest Mary, died of pneumonia at the age of two. John’s father showed him a photo of her of one day in his flower shop in the Bronx. John did not learn that he had a sister until he was ten years old.
As we get up to leave I tell John that if he gets too sad to ask the doctor to put him to sleep. “Juliana,” he says leaning forward from a sitting position. He takes an unflinching look into my eyes, “I don’t mind being sad,” he tells me emphatically. Then he repeats this for emphasis. Of course I know this already, but who wants to use the words “too depressed”. Now I learn to speak even more plainly with John.
Seven days after John is admitted to the hospital he says, “It’s ME time, tell the extended family about ME.” They do not know that John is in a hospital in Slovakia.
19 April, Friday
Today the doctors start preparing the paperwork, this is a good sign. If, after the weekend, Dr. Papinčák tells us, John continues to improve we can go home on Tuesday.
This morning we leave the hotel and walk right past the public park, also known as the medical garden (Medická záhrada) on our way to the Ondřejská Cemetery. This is a pleasant surprise, a green oasis in medieval Bratislava. I would like to stay longer and photograph all the angelic tombstones, but Chris, who practices moderation to the excess, is hungry, and like his father, he takes his food seriously.
We are in the eastern part of the Staré Město and on the way back Chris takes us to see the Catholic Church of St. Elizabeth, also known as the Blue Church. It sits on the corner of Bezručova street and Groslingova. This is another surprise, art nouveau in medieval Bratislava. Built between 1907-1908 everything about the Blue Church is astonishingly blue - inside and out.
Chris has been a vegetarian for 34 years now so the lunch menu is somewhat limited. But, this fact is rarely a problem especially in cosmopolitan Bratislava. The restaurant he chooses is owned by Jordanians and our server is an Afghan. While Chris eats his falafel I eat a delicious bowl of vegetable soup made by an Indian chef. When we are done a Slovakian waitress prepares a gyros for John. While we wait I watch CNN with three Jordanians males and learn that the terrorists who blew up the Boston marathon are two young brothers from the Russian Caucasus area.
Back at the hospital I wait outside and explore the grounds while I give Chris and John time alone. I know that my behavior is suspicious and that I am being watched when I take notes and speak into my voice recorder. But, it is when I start to take photos that the security guard comes over and asks me not to photograph. “Nerorazumiem,” (I don’t understand) I tell him understanding fully. I want to practice my Slovakian on him. “Razumien.” (I understand).
Okay, so there is no soap in the bathroom and the hospital could use a paint job and some Spackling paste and I will not get into the elevator - still it is a solid structure with a set of surprisingly elegant and dilapidated stairways that face each other in the biochemistry and molecular genetics building. John is laying under cathedral ceilings next to two large arched wooden windows that he is free to open. He feels the breeze and he has a view of a Linden tree, Slovakia’s national tree that is measured in centuries, and he can see the church steeple. Like us, he is on the fourth floor. John continues to be amazed that the doctors are working to identical standards and he has a favorite nurse, Anna, who bathes him in the early morning light.
This evening I notice that John’s dry hacking cough has returned, I think that this cannot be good. We wait and wonder: What will the doctors have to say about John leaving the hospital on Tuesday morning?
20 April, Saturday
I am sure that Chris feels like we abandoned his father this morning but I insist on changing the routine. I think that since John is not sleeping as much he would prefer to receive his newspaper in the morning instead of the afternoon. And, what if they sell out! Plus, I am drawn to the the medieval city centre. I want to walk there and I want to walk fast. On our way I talk just as fast, in part to distract Chris from his uneasy feeling. I think that I have Chris convinced that the doctors are stringing him and John along. Everyday the doctors tell them only a few days more when in private they tell me how dire the situation really is, which is obvious to me.
After we buy the newspaper at Interpress Chris relaxes enough to take a detour to the Bratislava Information Service (BIS). He would like to climb atop Michael's Tower before we leave Bratislava. Chris is sure our trip is about to end.
It is here, at the information center, that we see the beginnings of what promises to be an even more exciting day. This year Bratislava is celebrating 20 years of independence from Czecho-Slovakia. The Gentle Revolution, also called The Velvet Divorce, took effect on 1 January 1993. The Slovak Republic, also called Slovakia or Slovensko, is Europe’s newest country.
As we race back to the hospital with John’s coffee and newspaper we agree to make a dash for the exit, but first Chris would like to make sure that his father is going to be all right. Of course, John gives us the okay and like little children we run out the door and down the street to the Square (Primacialne Namestie). It is 11:00 a.m. and the parade has just begun.
We follow thirty professional actors dressed in period costumes, horsemen, drummers, and soldiers, men and women, carrying long rifles, swords, flags and banners. Together we march up to Michael's Gate (Michalska Brana) built around 1300 and the only surviving of four gates that were used to enter the mediaeval city. A large banner depicting St.George slaying the dragon and the message Bratislava Pre Všetkych (Bratislava For All) bars the entrance.
Here we watch performances so arresting that I put down my camera. After a four rifle salute declarations are made by someone who looks like the mayor of Bratislava, Milan Ftáčnik, and the banner is raised signaling the unsealing of the city gates.
We follow the parade back to the square where we watch a soldier stand on his horse, drape the horse’s leg over his shoulder, lie underneath the horse and place the horse’s foot lightly on his chest while he is laying flat on his back. In the square we are joined by a king and queen. This year Bratislava is celebrating the 450th anniversary of the first royal coronation.
Formerly known as Pozsony by the Hungarians and Pressburg (in reference to the castle) by the Germans, Bratislava, became the new capital of Royal Hungary in 1536 after the Ottoman Turks, under the leadership of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, swept into Hungary and overtook Buda at the battle of Mohacs in 1526. Bratislava, the official name since 1919 when it was made the capital of Slovakia in the newly created Czecho-Slovakia, was honored to be the city of coronation and it lasted for almost three hundred years. Ten Habsburg kings and nine queens were crowned in the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral using the crown of St. Stephen the first king of Hungary who was crowned on Christmas Day in the year 1000.
The medieval Crown of St. Stephen, also called the Holy Crown of Hungary, is the symbol of Hungarian nationhood. People from far and wide will come to watch the authentic coronation ceremony which follows the exact same ritual based on historical documents.
Nota bene: The coronation ceremony is held every year during the last weekend of June in honor of Maria Theresa who was crowned on 25 June 1741.
12:31 p.m.
We are on a mission to find the closest thing we can to a Greek Orthodox church to light three candles for Chris’ deceased kinfolk. At John’s request. On the way up to St. Nicholas, which sits under the walled castle and is in the old Jewish Quarter we stop on Židovská 1 (Jewish) to visit the Museum of Clocks. I see a clock with engravings of the different phases of human life. A poignant reminder of how time affects all of us.
It is a steep climb up the stone stairs to St. Nicholas which is hidden behind a row of buildings. Built in 1661 the entrance to this nondescript baroque church is flanked by trees. A statue of St. Nicholas stands in the niche above the door and above a coat of arms which is partly obscured by leafy branches. When we walk in through the open door we are stunned into silence. There are no pews only chairs lining the south and east walls. The adherents are standing in the center gathered around three heavily bearded Orthodox priests dressed in black cossack robes and wearing pectoral crosses. It feels as though we have just stepped into the Middle Ages.
“We found a beautiful, old Orthodox Church today, St. Nicholas, and lit three candles… and gave them a donation as Dad had requested. We took lots of pictures to show him, and he was pleased. They were in the middle of a ceremony with singing and prayers, the Church was full, and 40 minutes later everyone left and the Church was locked up so we just made it.” - Chris’ email
2:16 p.m.
I do not have a voracious appetite during our sojourn in Bratislava, I only eat two full breakfast’s and three main meals, one of which is a delicious bowl of goulash soup mit dunkel Brot at the Pivnica U Kozal on Panská 27.
We sit outside. When I am done I walk through an archway and climb down a broad set of stairs to the restaurant/bar deep underground. Who can believe this place with its low arched ceiling and dim lights. There is only one group of men sitting at a table immediately to my left as I enter and a lone man sits on my right a few tables over. I pay them no heed and carry on. I feel uncomfortable as I try to open the door to the WC (water closet) and realize that someone is in there and I have to wait. But, I think it is only a case of nerves and after I calm myself down by looking at the art on the wall I ask the lone figure if there is anyone in there as I try to open the door once again. This time it opens.
I find my fear curious and take some time to soak in the atmosphere in this most unusual restaurant underground. I am looking at a vintage tin beer sign across from the men when one of them orders me to, “COME, SIT!” I am paralyzed by fear. Then I am ordered to “DRINK BEER!”
What happens next to my field of vision is interesting. All I see as I turn around is someone pushing something aside and patting down a place for me to sit and I see a table topped with huge glasses and a pitcher filled with pivo (beer) which one of the men is holding aloft. I never see the men themselves, but I know by how they sound that they are big burly types who have been sitting here for a while.
I find the thought of joining them and drinking beer, in this cave, in the middle of the afternoon so ludicrous that I laugh out loud and in the same loud and commanding voice I reply, “THAT is NOT going to happen." There is dead silence. Released from my paralysis I take this opportunity to escape and run up the stairs without ever looking at the men.
Once outside I tell Chris about the unique restaurant/bar below and still curious about my fear I follow him downstairs and hang out while he uses the WC - still never looking at the men. But, as we are walking out I lift up my camera and take a photograph. In the photo one of the men is lurching drunkenly towards me. I count a total of six big celebrating Slovaks. It is not until we arrive home that I learn that Pivnica means cellar.
Today John walks across the room and when he arrives at the sink he shaves himself. Talk is still about returning Tuesday and for once I believe that if John continues to make progress we will indeed return sooner rather than later.
21 April, Sunday
10:07 a.m.
No matter how many times we mention the festivities taking place in Bratislava this weekend John does not let us go. Instead of music, dance shows, and horse races this morning we wheel John outside for some fresh air and we walk the length of the corridor, twice.
This whole thing feels surreal - we’re in medieval Bratislava, Chris is pushing his father in a wheel chair and I’m looking over my shoulder every time I want to take a photograph.
10:48 a.m.
Dr. Soña Kiñová tells us that John’s cough will last for a couple of weeks. And, she tells us that John is good to go home on Tuesday. But, this is not her decision to make - still we prepare ourselves mentally.
Dr. Soña speaks fluent English. We pepper her with questions about Bratislava and Slovakia. Then she tells us about the students who study at this University Hospital. They come from all over the world, she explains, because it is relatively inexpensive to study here. Twice she mentions that the Greeks are the laziest students and she explains why. In Greece, in order to own a pharmacy, one must be educated as a doctor. The Greek students do not want to learn, but they want to own pharmacies.
At first I think it is interesting that the Greeks are the laziest students, but after she mentions it a second time I start to feel uncomfortable and I look at Chris and John, but neither say a word. I think Dr. Soña knows that John is a Greek but Chris tells me this is not so. I think she knows by the name - Beletsis. Anyone with any experience with Greeks knows that a family name ending in "sis" hails from mainland Greece.
1:16 p.m.
Michael’s Tower, also called Michael’s Gate because it is a combination of the two, was built around 1500 and it is more than 50 meters high (seven floors, I counted). Climb the narrow circular staircase for a postcard view of Bratislava.
Only so many people are allowed entrance at a time and there is a guard on every level and a military museum with a collection of medieval arms and military uniforms. The enthusiastic guard on the top level insists that Chris take a photo of me from the inside looking out. Since he speaks no English he gestures wildly for me to step outside and come around to the window. He thinks this is an excellent idea. I photograph them from the outside looking in. The guard poses but he does not smile.
When we visited the Czech Republic in the spring of 2000 I read that the people complained that the playwright president Vaclav’s Havel’s new wife since 1997, the actress Dagmar Veškrnova, smiled too much.
5:02 p.m.
John, who is wearing a hospital gown, leans out the window. I too lean out the window. He comments on the good weather. I quote Chris. “We arrive in winter and stay until spring.“
22 April, Monday (Eleven days later)
12:36 a.m.
Our airline Lufthansa is on strike. Hopefully it will last for one day only. I lay awake and wonder, what will Dr. Kašperová say about John leaving the hospital on Tuesday morning?
There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that we can leave tomorrow and the bad news is that a medical escort will not be available for one more day. Will his father play it safe? I make Chris a bet and I lose. John is adamant about leaving the hospital tomorrow.
John is sitting up in his hospital bed munching on a gyros - not looking at anyone. Chris is standing on John’s left leaning against the wall and I am standing to the right of John. We are near the foot of the bed where Dr. Kašperová stands deep in thought - she is looking down. There is silence.
Dr. Kašperová is in charge, she is the one who must determine when John is fit to fly and she has just received the news that John has decided to return home tomorrow without a medical assistant. Chris and I look at each other and together we look at John who refuses to look at anyone. We look at Dr. Kašperová who is still deep in thought and looking down at the floor. This goes on for some time - around and around Chris and I look while John continues to munch refusing to look at anyone and the doctor continues to thinks things through.
I tell Dr. Kašperová that John has an option - stay one more day and return with a medical assistant. Dr. Kašperová does not take her eyes off me as she digests this information. John, who is adamant about returning tomorrow, looks up at Dr. Kašperová and with great cheer says, "I'm fine! “ Then he tries to explain that he lives in an independent and assisted senior living retirement community. Dr. Kašperová demands more silence as she looks to the floor once again for answers. Around and around we go again. Chris and I look at each other, then we look at John who continues to munch and refuses to look at anyone. This makes us smile.
Dr. Kašperová looks up and tells me that she had made it clear on Friday to those responsible that John could go home on Tuesday and that she had ordered a medical assistant. Earlier in the day Dr. Papinčák had also made this clear to us - arrangements were made on Friday. I acknowledge this and express our frustration with with those who are responsible for our predicament. We all prefer that John return with a medical assistant by his side.
Finally, Dr. Kašperová says that it is fine for John to travel home tomorrow and she suggests that he have a drink - whiskey. This makes me laugh and I feel relief that John will be able to leave without a medical assistant and with the doctor’s blessing. Dr. Kašperová explains that she will give us medicine if Johns blood pressure should rise and if he has difficulty breathing. She gives Chris her email address and her mobile telephone number and asks that we contact her when we arrive in Frankfurt.
This is our last night in Bratislava. John is in high spirits as we prepare his clothes for a 7:15 a.m. departure. Piece by piece I hold them up for his approval. When I come to his boxer shorts I hold them high. John exclaims, "Aren't those cute Juliana!" After eleven days in the coronary care unit John is excited and ready to return home.
Bratislava, located in southwestern Slovakia, is the only European capital that borders two countries - it is within walking distance to the Austrian and Hungarian borders. The trip west to the Vienna airport by private car will take one hour. Unbeknownst to us at the time, the driver we hire is the hotel receptionist’s boyfriend, Matej.
Back at the hotel we pack, one small backpack each. We have reservations, but no tickets. It is not until late into the nights that we learn that all the arrangements have been made. Lufthansa will fly us from Vienna to Frankfurt and United Airlines will fly us direct to San francisco.
23 April, Tuesday morning
7:00 a.m. Sharp
Matej is waiting for us in the hotel lobby. He greets us with a smile. He drives what seems a long way out of the way as the hotel is just around the corner. But, he explains that the car must take a different route. While the hospital guard and Matej figure out where to park Chris jumps out of the car and I miss my opportunity to say goodbye to the doctors and nurses.
Chris said that when he went to pick up his father it didn’t look like anything was happening. The curtain around John’s bed was closed and the staff was busy. Chris drew the curtain aside and there was John, he was laying down, fully clothed and ready to go. Dr. Kašperová came over and John’s favorite nurse, Anna, helped him into a wheelchair, but not before he surprised her by giving her a big hug. It took only a few minutes to pull it all together.
When John is wheeled into the daylight he calls my name. I turn to look at him and in the excitement of the moment I clap my hands and give him two thumbs up. This is indeed an exciting time.
On our way out Matej, a compassionate humanitarian, tells me that our kindness made the old man with the cane cry. While we waited we helped him to his seat on the bench. “Dobrý!” (Good) I exclaim with a big smile once he is settled. I see that his eye is red and teary, but I do not make the connection. I think this is due to his condition.
Matej, who was once a tour guide, takes us on the scenic route to the Vienna airport. Along the way he tells us that, “Socialism has good sides and the bad sides. Bad thing is, the bad sides stayed and the good ones are gone.”
8:53 a.m.
As we check in to special assistance the attendant says to John, “Good children, you are flying business class.” John replies. “I feel very special.” She does not know that we came directly from the hospital.
Because he can, Chris sends Dr. Kašperová an email. She promptly replies, “Dear Chris and Juliana, it is nice to hear from you, thank you for the message. We wish you good luck and a lot of strength for Mr. John. Kind regards, Viera Kašperová”
We arrive early and the Frankfurt gate reads destination Brindisi. I happen to know that this is where one catches the ferry to Greece. I am ready to keep moving and ask John a spirited traveler. I can see us heading south and me racing him around in a wheelchair.
In flight, Chris and I check on John several times. I ask the flight attendant to keep her eye on him and I explain that John is a high risk passenger. John later says that the flight back was really difficult for him, but he shows no signs of distress. He just looks like a worn-out traveler.
In San Francisco we hand over John to his daughters and son-in-law who take him home and we catch our flight to San Diego. We sit by the emergency exit doors. The flight attendant would like to know if we are willing and able to help in case of an emergency. She would like that all the passengers see that we are reading the instruction manual.
On our way to our car I quiz Chris. “In what position do you place your arms when you slide down the emergency chute?” Chris holds his arms high in the air and says “Whee!” It feels good to laugh again.
It is not until we are on the I5 (Interstate 5) heading north that it hits me. I sure am glad that things worked out well as they did, after all, it was me who suggested we invite him on this trip. John said that he was glad that we made the best of being in Bratislava and that we did all the right things. He thinks that we saved his life.
It turns out that my father in-law did not suffer a heart attack after all. Although, what he did experience, a heart exacerbation, a sudden worsening of an already bad condition, is just as serious. John did all the right things. He ate a salty lunch which is verboten, he drank alcohol which is verboten and he stopped taking his diuretic as prescribed.
Complicated times (his words, not mine) for John indeed. The difference between the photo taken of him on 7 April about to embark on the ship in Passau, Germany where the trip started and 7 May, two weeks after he arrived home, is astonishing. John came back an old man leaning on a cane. His doctor tells him that it will take at least six weeks for John to feel well rested and to regain his strength.
The Danube Waltz
My father-in-law was lucky, his last trip abroad nearly cost him his life and travel insurance covered his flight home and trip interruption. The hospital bill, which we paid in full and in cash the day before we left, amounted to only 1,889.36 € ($2,500.00) and that was covered by his medical insurance and Travel Guard.
John, who would like me to make him look heroic, spends eleven nights and twelve days recovering in the oldest teaching hospital in medieval Bratislava. During his stay Boston is shutdown by a manhunt, the death toll rises when a Texas fertilizer plant implodes and his last remaining brother Spiro dies. John loses his sense of humor only once when he is hungry and it is brief. His unshakeable optimism and indomitable spirit saves us all.
I have an easy time with it all, in part, because I do not concern myself with the logistics. I provide moral support and look to my late friend Count Alfonso de Bourbon for words of wisdom, “Don’t make it any more difficult than it already is.” Chris agrees, “It is what it is.” Plus, the doctors are really nice and they think we are “awesome people”. They “threaten” to come and visit us when they come to California, but not this year.
We are somewhat of a novelty in Bratislava. Most tourists come for a single day, riverboat walking tours last two hours. We stay in Bratislava for twelve days and for the most part we frequent the same markets, cafe’s and news stands. The Bratislavs are curious.
Free wireless and John’s cafe latte’s are not the only reason to go to The Green Tree Cafe on Obchodná ulica (street). It is helpful that Chris has a sob story to share with the staff - father is in the hospital, we’re going home soon, I’m buying the coffee’s for him. These girls are young and they are sweet, but they never ask about John, it is me they wonder about. “Where is your wife?” they ask when I am missing. They are curious and they are always smiling.
What to expect if your father-in-law has a heart attack In Bratislava, Slovakia and the ship leaves without you? Expect the doctors and nurses in the University Hospital Old Town to be ”exceptional” - John’s word.
“Not only were they competent, but how much they cared about me, how concerned they were about my getting home safely and how Dr. Kašperová wanted to know, after I got home, by email or a phone call, that all is okay. Most people complain about doctors, that they're very impersonal, they don't pay any attention to them, they don't really care about you they just want to get doing what they have to do, and get rid of you, These doctors and nurses were so different. It was very special and unusual to have that kind of care shown by anybody and we after all we were strangers too - which makes it even more important." - John Beletsis
Infographic showing mathematic prediction for the World Cup.
Published in Wired UK, June 2010 Issue.
Data devised by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski
Some photos of the printed article: sectiondesign.co.uk/the-world-cup-predicted-wired-uk
I predicted a week ago there would be young sticking their heads out. This morning's hike got proof of it. Seen on Sundial Road near the Sandy River Delta. These parents were so upset, I decided NOT to hang out too long in their proximity.
Another great sunset predicted by our friends at #Escaype. It had been a while since I had lost shot so as soon as #Escaype predicted a colorful sunset, I decided to go. This was an area of the beach which I had not explored before and I was afraid of staying too long in this place too because some people had gotten stuck there a few months ago but I still decided to go and check it out. I am glad I did. Hope you like it.
With the predicted evening clearance in no doubt a decision needed to be made as to where to go to harvest the final days Tractor hauled passenger service and the evenings North-bound trailer in the form of the nuclear flasks.
Numerous locations were discussed but having reccied the flask train shot earlier in the day it was decided I was indeed correct to head to St Bees. 8-)
Weathered Large-Logo / Scottie Dog / Name emblazoned Irish Sea Beast Class 37402 briefly but pleasingly sounds her voice as she skirts the coast on the approach to her next station stop.
This Friday night and into Saturday morning there is predicted to be a new meteor shower. Many estimates are predicting counts similar to the best showers of the year, the Perseids and Geminis, with hourly counts around 100 and some the possibility of a meteor storm with 400 an hour. There is no way to be certain other than to show up somewhere and find out what occurs. The peak is supposed to be Saturday morning around 2:30 AM.
If this turns out good it will be best photographed somewhere dark and with interesting ground features for the composition. Almost totally clear skies will be needed too, I have found in the past some semi-transparent clouds can make things more interesting, but 1/2 overcast just makes it impossible. Right now the weather forecast for Roanoke is anyone’s guess. I’m thinking of perhaps hiking up to the summit of Sharp Top Mountain somewhere around midnight or maybe a little before if things show promise. The summit area is dark and offers interesting ground features for a composition with meteors or of they don’t show star trail scenes. The numerous towns and cities below also make fine night photography subjects in their own right, no matter what not a place to leave empty handed of photos. The radiant for this shower is also in the area of Polaris so it could make for some interesting circular trail shots with random meteors radiating outward.
I’d like to invite any of my contacts to join me in shooting this, I’m not set to this location but want somewhere much more interesting than a backyard or field. If you would like to learn night star trail photography then I could show you what settings work for me and help in setting up the camera. This basically involves setting up and letting the camera shoot away consecutive images and then later stack them in Photoshop. I also know how to shoot a ground scene and mask in multiple meteor captures into one night scene. Write me with Flickr mail if you are interested.
The Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting a hotter-than-normal summer for Utah, but at Orbital ATK's test facility in Promontory, crews are bundling up to chill down the booster for the world's most powerful rocket, NASA's Space Launch System.
The booster is being cooled to approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit ahead of its second qualification ground test June 28. Testing at the thermal extremes experienced by the booster on the launch pad is important to understanding the effects of temperature on the performance of how the propellant burns. Data and analysis from past human-rated space programs have set the temperature limits for boosters between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The booster was heated to 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the first successful booster qualification test in March 2015.
"In the winter or summer, you expect your car to start -- regardless of what the temperature is outside," said Mat Bevill, deputy chief engineer in the SLS Boosters Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where the SLS program is managed for the agency. "That car had to be tested to ensure it performed as it was designed to do, even in wide temperature ranges. That's pretty much what we're doing -- except with a huge rocket booster."
To read the full article, click here.
_____________________________________________
These official NASA photographs are being made available for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photographs. The photographs may not be used in materials, advertisements, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by NASA. All Images used must be credited. For information on usage rights, click here.
Predicted to appear ~ the first week of May" around here... my first sighting was today on May 14. I get inordinately happy to see these fleeting little creatures.
Weather in the mountains is hard to predict. Not that I did any research, I had my trip planned and I would photograph the landscape with what ever weather I was presented with. For this trip I arrived in the midst of one of the seasons last snow falls. The sky was a white out, winds were up and snow was blasting in my face. For me this was perfect, bad weather makes for interesting photos and is a preference over nice blue skies. I like producing simple and moody images such as this one.
A short climb from my nights accommodation at the nearby La Madone de Fenestre Refuge (much nicer than it sounds) I came upon this amazing scene. As an extra dimension to the image a fox or wolf or chamois or whatever you get in the Southern French Alps had kindly walked up to this lone tree and off in to the distance. I explored many compositions and took many photographs here. I knew it had potential however I struggled without snow shoes and found myself sinking waist deep in the snow. I took my time and made sure I covered the angles well.
I entered this image to the annual AIPP APPA awards hence why it has taken me so long to post. More on that in my next blog post. You’ll be glad to know it was received well by the judges and was awarded a Silver Award.
Winter is almost upon us in the Northern hemisphere once again, and I look forward to some trips to the snow. Seeing all the snow in Australia this last season and the resulting photos I can’t wait get out there. I just bought a new Scarp 2 4 season tent so would like to test it out over the next few weeks before seeing how it fairs in the cold of winter.
One can consider the presentation of this spectacular hardtop coupe as an ultimate afford to gain attention of the audience to persuade them for buying a Packard. The financial position of Packard was terrible in 1956. But it wasn't much of a help.
Richard 'Dick' Teague (Los Angeles, 1923-1991) designed the Predictor. It was built at Carrozzeria Ghia, Torino in Italy on a Clipper platform. In ninety days the Italians managed to get this project ready, just in time for the Chicago Car Show.
The Predictor had all kinds of new automotive features, like tilting headlights, roof doors rolled back when opening the door, lowering back window, swiveling seats, dashboard design which followed the hood profile, a power operated trunk lid, and a wraparound windshield that curved into the roof.
Many car brands copied several novelties: the grille at the 1958 Edsel, the roof line at the 1958 Lincoln Premier, the rear bumper at the 1958 Oldsmobile, opera windows or portholes in the rear pillar at the 1957 Thunderbird, and the headlights at the 1962 Corvette.
Only one Predictor was made. It still exists and is on display at the Studebaker National Museum, South Bend, Indiana (see photo).
6128 cc V8 engine.
Production Packard Predictor: 1956.
Image source:
Video still from a movie of a visit to the Studebaker National Museum, South Bend, Indiana, by OldModelTGuy.
Seen on YouTube.
Halfweg, July 16, 2024.
© 2024 Sander Toonen Halfweg | All Rights Reserved
Great Uncle Javier U. Peg was a clairvoyant who predicted such events as the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the arrest of Sheikh Khaz'al of Iran, the vindication of John T. Scopes, and the coming of the television as entertainment. Javier U traveled with Ringling Brothers for a couple of seasons, but he was ostracized by the other sideshow performers. They felt he was an imposter who concocted stories and fabricated half truths.
Then Javier predicted the disappearance of Bilbo the clown after a drunken brawl on the midway in Shegotmenow, Kansas. The missing clown's nose was found near the big cat car of the circus train along with one of his shoes. The circus folk were astonished at Javier's predictive prowess, even though Carl Gulliver noticed Javier was wearing Bilbo's wrist watch and had an excess of cash. Suddenly Javier U. Peg was in demand as the Human Magic 8 Ball.
Immediately prior to this photograph he predicted that the Sarasota Saxophone Playing Triplets would spook the giraffes with their rendition of Gut Bucket Blues. The resulting giraffe stampede through the streets of Eldorado, Arkansas was devastating to the circus as the newly erected electrical lines were not insulated. Gilda the giraffe struck one of the wires and was instantly electrocuted. The fireworks show created by the accident shut down the electricity at Crowley's General Store allowing it to be robbed successfully by three small men dressed as clowns. Some say Javier was in collusion with the triplets to further exhibit his clairvoyant abilities, and that the Crowley Clown Robbery was simply a random crime of opportunity. Mr. Crowley himself was not so sure as he had seen Twisto buying opium and asprin that morning. The circus loaded the still smoldering giraffe on the top of a box car and left town in the middle of the night.
Javier U. Peg predicted the 1956 demise of the Big Top and the eventual closing of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 2017. At the time nobody believed him. But because he could never seem to predict cheerful events, the management of the Greatest Show on Earth was forced to terminate his contract. Uncle Javier moved back to Manigotapi Mississippi where he worked for his brother Adriano J. Peg as a bookie and roustabout. He also provided communication assistance for the departed at the Deluther Funeral Home and Taxidermy Emporium.
Front row, from left to right:
Ajax, the sword- swallower; Javier U. Peg, the Human 8 Ball, unk, seated: Schlitze, the pinhead (and star of Tod Browning's movie Freaks); unknown; one of the Carlson Sisters; Major Mite, the smallest man on earth; Tom Ton; Slats, skeleton sheik; the other Carlson Sister; Violetta, the living shop window bust; Mlle. Cleo, snake charmer; Twisto, the human knot; and the Sarasota Saxophone Sisters.
Back row, from left to right: Ernie the Elastic Man; Cliko, the African bushman; either Eko or Iko, one of the ambassadors from Mars; Koo Koo, the bird girl (also featured in the movie, Freaks); Baron Paucci, midget; unknown; Carl Gulliver, giant; the Dancing Doll family of midgets (Freaks); again, either Eko or Iko; unknown; and Lionel the lion-faced boy.
Photograph courtesy of Edward J. Kelty
I predict that the flood of Corky will subside shortly. In the meantime....
Elgin, Illinois near 42.0109, -88.3477
August 14, 2022
COPYRIGHT 2022 by JimFrazier All Rights Reserved. This may NOT be used for ANY reason without written consent from Jim Frazier.
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As I predicted the new Bratz body seems to fit Teen Skipper fashions perfectly. Well ,this dress at least if you take off her head and put it over the top. The Stardoll dress fit fine but was a little loose in the torso area. Maybe regular tops & jeans?
So, when making fashion selections look towards Teen Skipper or the model muse/model body fashions. But I'm sure even other doll lines will fit too. These bodies & clothing are all going to come down to judging and trying things on a case by case/fashion by fashion basis.
Part 2 tomorrow! ;3
"Our habits predict the future."
~ William Arthur Ward
memories from my neighborhood...
Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris
Predicting your call on the extra board can be a bit like long division, needlessly complicated and never really sure you got it right... until the phone rings. Today I thought I had it all dialed in, a phosphate train off the CSX coming north on the Superior Sub was showing ordered for 1230 out of Pokegama with no north pools available for several hours, got it. Just before that call was expected to come in, the phone rang. CN Crew Caller... well shit. “Mr Hennessy are you qualified on the T-Bird?” Yes. Yes I am. So off to Keenan I went. Left a little early in hopes of catching some iron ore action, timing was great as I paced a northbound limestone train from Alborn up to the range, unfortunately the sun was shit for northbound moves. Coming up to Fairlane I spied a load of pellets ready to head south, hedging my bets that he would get the light clearing the limestone train I parked. Sure enough the limestone blazed past and the pellet loader was headed to the docks in Duluth. These standard cab dash 8’s hold a special place in my heart as I made my first solo run as an engineer in one (CN 2019) on a Q119 several years prior. Most fans up here loath the toasters and covet the sd40’s, a sentiment I certainly understand but anywhere else in the country finding standard cab dash 8’a leading trains in 2021 would be constitute a miracle from christ himself... on the range, just another reason not to take the lens cap off. I should get out more often to shoot these dinosaurs, but CN is very good at finding ways to occupy my time and my daughters take up the rest. These old GE’s may have another couple years left in them but the kids only stay 5 and 3 for another couple months. Priorities... It does make me appreciate the rare moments trackside that I have however!
Every year we try to predict how severe a winter we'll have. From studying the width of the band on a woolly bear caterpillar to seeing what the farmers almanac predicts. I guess we really don't know what we'll get until it gets here.
as predicted three days ago, odin's cousin is coming tonight!
ruby, the little fairy princess, decides to help things along with a belly touch and wave of her wand ( unfortunately out of the picture frame ).
stay tuned!
boy, this should really help the sweeps week ratings for the snowdeal show ®.
see also here for more of the hour-to-hour details.
Still waiting . . .
The label at the historical society in Astoria, Oregon, didn't explain what was behind this astonishing chamber-of-commerce style flight of fancy. I have a feeling it was the grandiose idea of a local political candidate with the surname Jackson.
Clatsop County Historical Society, Astoria, Oregon.
They predicted a big storm here in Sweden for last weekend. This was taken on friday, the day before. And it was really calm out there on the sea.
This is straight out of Woo Woo land...
I was in college on a Geography Club field trip somewhere in Maine in 1957, when our group came upon this bit of graffiti. I (Roger) had a female friend who I called Sam (later softened to Sammy). We were classmates but were definitely not "an item," had never gone out on a date together, and in fact, at that time, Sam thought of me more as a pest than a friend. Obviously, the creator of this graffiti had someone other than us in mind, but all the guys and gals on that field trip decided he was psychic and that my destiny had been sealed. Turns out he was right... Poor Sam was very upset that I had taken this photo and shown it to fellow classmates. The thought of us in any kind of a "relationship" was downright repulsive to her, and she didn't find this in the least bit funny and certainly not even remotely predictive of the future.
We were married three years later...
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.!
Albert Einstein
I really think you should View On Black
Copyright - All Rights Reserved - Black Diamond Images
As the predicted Omicron Covid outbreak in December 2021 was about to go rogue the Perrotett NSW government removed most restrictions. Public and business backlash saw the NSW Government quickly reinstate some of the previously existing restrictions, like mask wearing in public spaces. Common sense was sadly lacking because the initial relaxation made no sense at all yet was hardly surprising given the abominable manner in which the NSW Government handled the Ruby Princess debacle as well as the June 2020 Bondi Junction outbreak.
At the same time as Omicron was arriving on the scene support services for contact tracing and PCR testing were being wound back and the Federal Government said they would not fund subsidization of Rapid Antigen tests (RAT) probably because they did not want to undercut their donors, among them Chemist Warehouse and Harvey Norman. Electrical goods and furniture retailer Harvey Norman, was very likely tipped off as to the government's intended policy, or indeed they lobbied for it, and immediately ordered many thousands of the Rapid Antigen tests which are now being sold. At the time of writing (5.1.21) online ordering of RAT tests via Chemist Warehouse yielded a nil result with tests out of stock as is the case, as I write, with most pharmacies and supermarkets. Some of those commercial sales outlets with stock have been guilty of price gouging with prices as high as $40 for a single test. The tests actually cost under $4 each to produce and the manufacturers say they can produce 15 million tests in a day.
The current dire shortage of tests is a legacy of callous and indifferent, if not incompetent management, by the Federal Government who failed to heed warnings issued by the Australian Medical Association in September 2020 that RAT tests would be an essential tool in managing the predicted tsunami of infections to occur from January 2022. Most health experts are of the belief that the Federal Government should be making the RAT tests free as a means to help minimize the impacts of the predicted explosion in cases of Omicron covid.
Are you looking to buy a RAT test in Australia or can you confirm via this site a business that is selling them - Try this site FindaRAT
Around 74% of the current NSW Covid ICU cases are of the Delta variant indicating that since Perrotett removed most restrictions before Xmas 2021 Delta has become rampant in the community. The situation is made much worse because the government has stopped tracking infections and our political leaders are selling the message that Omicron is the problem and it's less virulent, deflecting from the impacts of Delta which for now is much more problematic.
We have here a massive case of political failure to protect the Australian people. One could only imagine what would have happened if condoms had been made so ridiculously expensive during the AIDS crisis from 1981 onwards.
Chaos is increasingly the state of play in the NSW health system as hospitals begin to struggle with a lack of staff and rising Covid admissions which are detrimentally impacting on the opportunity for other urgent life-threatening procedures. Health workers are even being pressured by hospital administrators to come back to work even though they have Covid 19.
On the 5th Jan 2022 NSW recorded 35,054 cases a day but this is not an accurate assessment as it has become very difficult to be tested if an individual feels they have been exposed or have symptoms. The actual infection figures are likely to be up to 10 times higher according to some experts. People, some with Covid symptoms, are lining up at testing centres for up to 7 hours to get tested. It should come as no surprise that many just give up waiting. Drive through queuing is of a similar wait time. Many testing laboratories have become overwhelmed and understaffed due to some staff becoming infected with covid rendering them unable to work. For these reasons the labs are unable to return test results in a timely manner. Some tests results appear to be taking 4-7 days to be returned and there are almost no RAT tests available to buy anywhere in NSW.
The shambolic mismanagement by the Perrotett and Morrison Governments is there for all to see. Both governments, imbued with a business first ideology (or should that read donors first) are of the mindset to 'let it rip' and this ideologically driven approach has seen the virus escalate its intrusion into all other states of Australia, despite their best efforts to keep it at bay.
The failure to manage this health crisis appropriately is not only impacting people's lives and health but in fact doing immense damage to the bottom line of many businesses as well as the economy.
It might seem like I am stating the obvious when I say it's very unwise to catch covid yet many people appear to be confident in their trust in the effectiveness of triple dose vaccination. Hopefully this trust is proven to be correct in the coming months.
From my own limited observations, it appears some people out there on the streets are naively unconcerned about the risks to their own, or their family's well-being, believing they will catch covid, Delta or Omicron, eventually and that they'll survive it.
If Seal Rocks was any example on Boxing Day 2021 there are plenty of people in that category. I've never seen so many cars lining every road, occupying every parking space and indeed many illegal ones. It was 'wall to wall' people, like I'd never seen before.
Despite these crowds my solitary walk through the rainforest brought me out at the southern end of Number 1 Beach from where I took this shot. Most people had located themselves on the beach further north from this point while many had returned to their cars for lunch. To be fair though it was clear that many people were social distancing from strangers but not necessarily in their family groups.
As we enter 2022 the game is changing rapidly, the 'let it rip brigade' appear to have won the war, for now, at least in NSW.
It has been reported that Omicron may well be more infectious but the jury is still out as to whether it's as potent as Delta. Even if Omicron turns out to be less potent the sheer growth in Omicron infections to come may yet result in significant growth in ICU admissions and potentially, in more deaths.
With many children going back to school in a few weeks not having had their 2nd jab, let alone their boosters it appears 2022 is going to be one big game of Russian Roulette.
The ship is rudderless so good luck folks.
Please consider joining and adding your Handheld Panorama Photos to the Group - HANDHELD PANORAMAS
As predicted by my friend and fellow Lego builder Barry, it did not take me very long to finish my new truck or, at least, the tractor unit. This is an MAN TGX as operated by the British heavy haulage company, Allelys, to match the Mercedes Arocs and escort van that I built earlier this year.
While predicting where the birds will overnight on this refuge is an iffy proposition, this shallow lake just off the tour-route road is a regular hangout. The trick is to check it out early to see if any pathfinder birds have already selected it. If so, they will continually vocalize to the overflying birds trying to entice them to drop down and join them (increasing safety in numbers). There are several blinds here that you can select for different vantage positions. It's still early, and this lake was eventually completely filled with overnighting birds.
IMG_4248; Sandhill Cranes
As predicted, a strong and colourful aurora display, which was visible in the nautical twilight. Quite a bit more cloud than I was expecting with a thin but stubborn layer of stratocumulus, particularly early on.
The title sums up how I feel about Winter...Especially today! The blizzard hit as predicted, Getting to work this morning was bad enough but getting home at Noon was terrifying! I personally have never had to drive in white-out conditions before, I couldn't see jack! Thank goodness I didn't have far to go. Awful! The drifts out back are window height now.
Nancy Rose bought me these pretty balls for Christmas, but they will have to wait until next Christmas before they get to go on the tree as it didn't go up this year due to our cat Shakespeare and naughty ways...lol
I'm best at predicting the old year, she said, and; you'd be surprised how many people are even sceptical about that
♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥ ♥♥♥
We sat side by side in the morning light and looked out at the future together
both (storypeople)
Goes down well with a ♪♪♫♪♪♫ note ♪♪♫♪♪♫ of sweet words....
♪♪♫♪♪♫ You are the NEW DAY ♪♪♫♪♪♫
Thank You! (King's Singers)
The BEST New Year's Concert ever..... LOL:
I have received SO many Jacquie Lawson cards this Christmas AND for New Year that I can't stop smiling....
I MUST now get my own subscription! They are just TOO ENCHANTING....
Thank you all dear friends - you picked up the discreetest hint and delighted me with many, many wonderful cards, messages, songs, lines, photos and mails, private and officially.
May God bless you for every kindness you offered - to me and to anybody out there.... May you be rewarded with serenity, joy, and friendship in return and may your 2010 be a richly filled and happy one!
Kiki
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Lincoln 1940s Weekend. Forecasters predicted rain, the organisers headed their warnings and cancelled almost everything to with this event. Turned out the weather was fine 98% of the time.
As Roger had predicted, a small squad of Loreesi, about 8 soldiers and 2 noblemen, came to the oasis at about 2:00pm the following day. The Outlaws ambushed them. One nobleman was shot, and 2 soldiers were cut down before Gavin called a halt. The Loreesi huddled together, wondering what would happen to them. Gavin noted their terror, so he spoke to them.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you. I'm holding you for ransom. It's not much, honestly. My men are hungry and we want food and money."
The remaining nobleman gulped.
"I have money and food, please may I send two of my soldiers back to my castle to get it?"
Gavin agreed and the two soldiers set off. They said they'd be back in about a week.
Gavin and his men brought them to their stronghold, back in the mountains, to wait out the week.
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So this is my dio. It's also an entry to Mark's contest, but it's last minute so I'm not worried I'll win. : P
And yes, that is my real name on the border. Don't ask what the A stands for, because "wild anchovies wouldn't drag that out", as my friend says.
Before you ask, yes. She's a homeschooled Christian conservative and yes, at the speech group we're involved in, we're a little crazy sometimes.
Before you ask, no. She's not my girlfriend. I don't have one, don't plan to anytime soon.
Inspired by Mark of Falworth, and the palm trees were added just for him. ; )
-IronBricks
It was a cool, overcast spring day in Toronto. With rain and showers predicted for all day, it was too wet to encourage me out for a bike ride or a photo walk. The rain paused long enough near noon that I went out to pick up a couple of items at the grocery store and I carried my camera “just in case.” “Just in case” happened as I was crossing the street and it took the form of this attractive young woman with an explosion of blond curls. We passed one another as we were crossing the street and I turned on my heel to catch up with her on the sidewalk before she reached the subway station. I thought she might be ignoring my introduction and request but she was just tuned into her earbuds. When she realized I was talking to her, she pulled an earbud out and listened with interest. She said she would take a few minutes to participate in my Human Family photo project. Meet Yori. I asked about the origin of her name and she said her father told her it has its origins in Jerusalem. Google told me that one version of Yori has Japanese roots and means “reliable.” There are also some references to Hebrew versions.
My challenge was to come up with a suitable location to photograph Yori, given that we were on a busy streetcorner with only a bank and the subway station – both of which were rather unappealing. Between the two buildings was a small alley with a fence at the back. The dark, wet wood of the fence had potential, but it was complicated by a parked car and No Loitering and No Smoking signs. These are the challenges of doing street portraits.
I squeezed Yori and myself between the parked car and the fence and worked to avoid the signs on the fence. My first test shot had to be taken quite close in because of the confined space and although I was very happy with it, Yori surprised me by saying she didn’t like it at all. The same thing happened with my next couple of attempts. I tried to understand what would make her feel better about the photos and we ended up with me leaning back over the wet hood of the car to get a bit more distance. I had to laugh at the spectacle me and my gymnastics must have been presenting to anyone passing by on their way to the subway. To finish painting the scene, city buses were idling noisily to my left as they prepared to leave the station and they were belching diesel exhaust. I had little choice but to plunge forward because I could see that Yori was an excellent subject. Oh, and did I mention the smear of pigeon poop on the fence? I assured her that I could remove that later with Photoshop.
As I was giving Yori a bit of direction regarding looking at the camera, she adjusted the zipper on her jacket and I told her the inclusion of her hands would add to the photo. I took a photo of her with her hands on the zipper and I liked it. Suddenly she said “I have an idea, can I just do my own posing?” I said “Of course you can. If you have an idea, go for it.” To my surprise, she removed her backpack and started shedding her coat. I was concerned about her things getting wet on the ground but she was a young woman on a mission and who was I to interfere. She struck a pose in her yellow tank top and when we looked at the photos she said she was pleased with those. Relieved that we had finally come up with some portraits Yori was pleased with, I proceeded to find out a bit about her.
Yori is 19 and she was born in Sudan which borders Egypt and the Red Sea in North East Africa. She and her family came to Canada when she was 9. I had met her as she was heading home from the nearby Adult Learning Centre where she is completing high school. Her goal in life is to finish high school and college and train for a career as a pilot. She said “I know it will be a lot of work but that’s my goal.” Her interests outside school are art and photography. “Like you” she said with a smile.
Yori’s advice to her younger self was “Don’t let anyone tell you what to do – or who you are.” Her message to the project is “Stay strong and stay motivated.”
Once we exchanged contact information and were parting with a friendly handshake, I asked to take one more photo with my cell phone to demonstrate the location we used to make the portraits. I already knew that the challenges of the location were going to form a significant part of this story and I wanted to illustrate that. Yori looked at that photo on my phone and wanted to make sure I would send her that one as as well. I did.
This is my 832nd submission to The Human Family Group on Flickr.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
13 February: WORLD RADIO DAY
Radio was predicted in 1864 by Maxwell, who showed that a wiggling magnetic field could conjure up a companion electric field, and that the two would kind of egg each other on and sustain each other, propagating away at a constant speed.
In 1886, Hertz demonstrated that these mutually sustaining waves were real, and could be detected. For a long time they were called Hertzian waves in his honor. (Asked about a practical use for radio, Hertz said "it's of no use whatsoever".)
In 1895, Marconi built the first practical radio system, which could transmit and receive bursts of noise over a short distance—a wireless telegraph.
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© Ioan C. Bacivarov
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The Millennium Dome is the original name given to the building located on the Greenwich Peninsula in southeast London hosting the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium. The exhibition itself failed to attract half of the 12 million visitors predicted, so was deemed a failure by the press and ended in 2002. The dome still stands today and is a key exterior feature of the current day O2 Arena.
As predicted, the Pretendolino lives!
WB64 could perhaps be NC64, the set is on open ended lease to Greater Anglia as cover during the overhaul of the entire GA mk3 fleet. Presumably one of the DVT's is going as well.
25 October 2014 and 57302 leads the set with 37419 and 37682 on the rear through Glan Conwy station on the Conwy Valley branch. Silly train ain't gonna find Crown Point down there...
Google Trends Proves That Beards Aren't Dead (Or Even Dying).
Predicting the death of the beard has become an annual tradition for so-called style experts all over the internet.
Here are three tips to stay at the top of the beard game.
1. Don't be afraid to try a new style
One of the worst things we can do is get complacent with our style.
If your beard starts to look tired and dated, it makes you look like you have stopped caring, even stopped paying attention to the world around you.
Even a moderate style change can make a huge difference.
If you've been keeping a 3 or 4 inch beard, try keeping the same style, but bringing it down a couple of inches so that it more closely hugs your face.
Tighten up your look by keeping it short along the sides of the face, fade it into your hair at the sideburn, and make sure you're taking care of stray hairs by trimming regularly.
Had a goatee for years? Let your full beard grow out. Give it a bit of length and make sure you are grooming it daily. If you can't make it work, keep the full beard but try a stubble length.
If you're rocking a full beard, the possibilities are endless, but a more sleek, refined style like the Verdi is an easy first step into shaping your beard.
2. Pay attention to the little things
Attention to detail can make or break a man.
When people see that there are fly away hairs, a poorly trimmed (or not at all trimmed) neckline, or that you simply do not groom your beard at all, they're going to assume the worst.
If you can't even give your beard the attention it deserves, they'll think you don't pay attention in other areas of life, too.
Imagine the consequences when you're interviewing for a better job. Or trying to impress a potential mate.
You could lose out on a job or business opportunity, and even a relationship, because of your bad beard habits, so create a daily routine and make it a habit.
3. Condition daily with a balm or oil
Perhaps the most important method of your grooming routine, the foundation on which everything else rests, is the daily conditioning of your facial hair using a balm or an oil.
If you do nothing else, you will see significant results just from giving your beard a bit of moisturization.
Of course a balm helps control your beard and allows you to style it while keeping stray hairs in place, but your personal preference will dictate whether you use balm or oil.
The health, the shine, the overall cleanliness of your beard will be evident to all who look at it if you simply apply a bit of a natural moisturizing conditioner every morning.
Beards are not dead.
And that means more men than ever will be growing beards.
It's no longer enough to just grow a beard. You need a good beard to keep up with the competition. Get serious about your grooming habits and make sure that the more beards other men grow, the more yours stands out.
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Candid street shot Toronto, Canada.
I predict that the vast majority of people that see this would agree this looks like a magical place to visit… or even live! You definitely get your legs a daily workout going up and down these hills to eat Italian food and drink Italian coffee. And if you go uphill and downhill enough, you can even get a bit of Italian desert!
- Trey Ratcliff
Click here to read the rest of this post at the Stuck in Customs blog.