Happy 15th Birthday bratz!

 

While my original doll collection started with My Scene I didn't really become a collector until I got my first bratz maybe 10 or so years ago (11? 12? 13?!) in a box of other assorted my scene dolls (a B-R-ATZ, BRATZ CLASS! Yasmin) and soon started to see them as more than the 'skanky' barbie counterpart I immediately felt before simply due to prior Barbie loyalty and after the kidz came out? The rest was history XD

 

Opening my mind to them allowed me to open my mind to not being so stuck in my stubbornness about things and was instrumental in expanding my personal horizons in general.

 

Bratz for me came with new friends who have been instrumental in making me the person I've become to this very day and learning things like 'different isn't bad' and thinking critically about, like, value judgements mainstream society places on expression of urban culture when they can't monetize it in a way they see fit. (and, as I got older, the racial aspect of said value judgements became even clearer but that's perhaps a conversation for another time ;3)

 

The biggest thing bratz gave me was learning how to understand & value different perspectives as valid experiences and to really be willing to let myself grow. If you only saw their clothing you missed the focus on friendship & individuality.

 

Not to mention? Bratz was uber feminist for an audience that needed it - Nobody's Girl, the Rock Angel ballad about prioritizing yourself over a potential spouse? ICONIQUE and something I don't feel girls hear a lot - and even if I go back & forth on the current incarnation at times I can say that there's still a glimmer of what made Bratz such an important part of my own life and if these dolls lead to that for other people then I can be all for it.

Building renovation and construction contrast the gardens on the High Line an elevated railway line owned by the City of New York, today the High Line is a 1.45-mile-long linear public park maintained, operated, and programmed by Friends of the High Line, in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. High Line was opened in 1934 and moved goods to and from Manhattan’s largest industrial district until 1980. The third and final phase officially opened to the public on September 21, 2014. The High Line's green roof system with drip irrigation is designed to allow the planting beds to retain as much water as possible; because many of the plants are drought-tolerant, they need little supplemental watering. When supplemental watering is needed, hand watering is used so as to tailor the amount of water to the needs of individual species and weather conditions, and to conserve water. High Line is independently funded from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS). Urban forestry and green spaces are priority areas for USFS. With 80 percent* of the nation's population in urban areas, there are strong environmental, social, and economic cases to be made for the conservation of green spaces to guide growth and revitalize city centers and older suburbs. Urban forests broadly include urban parks, street trees, landscaped boulevards, public gardens, river and coastal promenades, greenways, river corridors, wetlands, nature preserves, natural areas, shelter belts of trees and working trees at industrial brownfield sites. Urban forests are dynamic ecosystems that provide needed environmental services by cleaning air and water helping to control storm water, and conserving energy. They add form, structure, beauty and breathing room to urban design, reduce noise, separate incompatible uses, provide places to recreate, strengthen social cohesion, leverage community revitalization, and add economic value to our communities. Urban forests, through planned connections of green spaces, form the green infrastructure system on which communities depend. Green infrastructure works at multiple scales from the neighborhood to the metro area up to the regional landscape. This natural life support system sustains clean air and water, biodiversity, habitat, nesting and travel corridors for wildlife, and connects people to nature. Urban forests, through planned connections of green spaces, form the green infrastructure system on which communities depend. Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) is a cooperative program of the US Forest Service that focuses on the stewardship of urban natural resources. UCF provides technical, financial, research and educational services to local government, non-profit organizations community groups, educational institutions, and tribal governments. The program is delivered through its legislative partners, the state forestry agencies in 59 states and US territories. Forest Service cooperative programs are currently being redesigned to make more effective use of federal resources. Programs will be focused on issues and landscapes of national importance and prioritized through state and regional assessments. Over the next five years an increasing percentage of funding will be focused on landscape scale projects. Three national themes provide a framework for this work: conserve working forest landscapes; protect forests from harm; and enhance benefits associated with trees and forests. More information and upcoming webinars on December 9, 2015 | 1:00pm-2:15pm ET; January 13, 2016 | 1:00pm-2:15pm ET; and February 10, 2016 | 1:00pm-2:15pm ET can be seen at *http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/program.shtml. USDA Photo By Lance Cheung.

I hope you find the time to read this (long) text - Eupalinos

 

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In his brilliant two-part book Endgame, my friend Derrick Jensen asks:

 

“Do you believe that our culture will undergo a voluntary transformation to a sane and sustainable way of living?

 

For the last several years I’ve taken to asking people this question, at talks and rallies, in libraries, on buses, in airplanes, at the grocery store, the hard- ware store. Everywhere. The answers range from emphatic nos to laughter. No one answers in the affirmative. One fellow at one talk did raise his hand, and when everyone looked at him, he dropped his hand, then said, sheepishly, “Oh, voluntary? No, of course not.” My next question: how will this understand- ing—that this culture will not voluntarily stop destroying the natural world, eliminating indigenous cultures, exploiting the poor, and killing those who resist—shift our strategy and tactics? The answer? Nobody knows, because we never talk about it: we’re too busy pretending the culture will undergo a magical transformation."

 

In this article, my friend Elisabeth Robson and I invite you to imagine the scope of changes necessary to make our society sustainable. This transformation could be done voluntarily. But as Derrick reminds us, there is no evidence that will happen. On the contrary, every indicator of ecological health is heading in the wrong direction, and greenwashing abounds. This, ultimately, is why I am an ecological revolutionary.

 

by Max Wilbert and Elisabeth Robson

____

 

Since January 15th, 2021, we have been fighting to Protect Thacker Pass from a proposed open-pit lithium mine.

 

For some people, our protest is confusing. Most mainstream environmentalists support lithium mining for producing electric car batteries. Yet here we are, proud environmentalists who have fought the fossil fuel industry for many years, now fighting the electric car industry.

 

Electric Cars are Not a Solution

 

We argue that switching to electric cars won’t significantly help solve global warming—a position that is actually backed by evidence (see, for instance, this chart, or read the book Bright Green Lies).

 

Mining lithium and the other materials used in electric cars destroys sensitive wildlife habitat, releases toxic pollution, bulldozes Native American sacred sites—and pumps out quite a lot of greenhouse gasses.

 

Electric cars provide the illusion that we’re making progress. And (not coincidentally) they make car manufacturers a LOT of money. Tesla’s Elon Musk is the richest man in the world. Electric car manufacturers and the mining companies providing their raw materials are quite happy for the public to remain ignorant of what’s required to make their products. The idea that buying an electric car will save the planet is called “greenwashing”—false advertising persuasion by eco-propaganda that white washes the true ecological harm caused by a product or process.

 

The only thing green about EVs is the money being made.

 

Are Fossil Fuels the Answer?

 

No. Fossil fuels extraction, processing, and burning causes catastrophic habitat destruction, toxic pollution, and global climate destabilization. Look at the legacy of oil drilling in Nigeria, at the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, at the toxicity caused by the fracking industry, or at the ecocide of mountaintop removal coal mining. Continuing to burn fossil fuels is unacceptable.

 

As grassroots activists, we’ve spent years fighting oil pipelines and blockading coal trains to stop the destruction caused by drilling and burning fossil fuels. And we’re not funded by the fossil fuel industry. Every dollar we’ve raised comes from donations from regular people who are fed up with the greenwashing lies.

 

The problem is that mining lithium, cobalt, and silicon and the many other metals and minerals required to build EVs, their batteries, and other “clean” technologies is just as bad for the planet as fossil fuels are.

 

There isn’t much difference between an open-pit coal mine and open-pit lithium mine. Both destroy habitat. Both poison water. And both release massive quantities of greenhouse gases.

 

So, What’s the Solution?

 

One of the most common questions we’re asked is “If electric vehicles aren’t the answer, what is your solution?”

 

True sustainability is not nearly as simple and easy as buying different products, like electric cars, and putting up solar panels and wind turbines. A truly sustainable life doesn’t mean swapping out gas for lithium-ion batteries.

 

The state of the planet is dire, from melting ice caps to expanding deserts, from clearcut logging to soil erosion, from the collapse of ocean fish populations to rising temperatures. Our planet is already deep into the 6th mass extinction crisis.

 

Reversing these trends will mean transforming our entire society, from top to bottom. It will entail changing the foundation of our economy, our communities, our work, our political structures, and beyond. This is daunting, and it is also our only hope.

 

But this is still vague. What, exactly, does this transformation look like? What is our solution?

 

What is “Sustainability”?

 

In the broadest sense, sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time. Hopefully it is clear to everyone reading this that the societies we live in are not sustainable in the sense of being able to be maintained continuously over time.

 

Almost everything we consume, do, and create currently depends on fossil fuels, which are rapidly being drawn down as the world uses over 100 million barrels of oil per day and 24 million tons of coal per day.

 

Look around you. It’s probably true that every human-made object surrounding you right now was created with the help of fossil fuel energy.

 

These minerals took hundreds of millions of years to form and, if we continue burning them, they will run out. Burning fossil fuels is causing climate change. This is on top of the harms of extracting fossil fuels—the oil spills, clearcuts, mountaintop removal mining, and so on. Relying on fossil fuels to power our lives is not sustainable.

 

Even if we were able to replace fossil fuel energy with solar and wind power, and fossil fuel plastics with other materials, that would still not be sustainable, since the other materials we use to construct our human “stuff” are also non-renewable. For instance, lithium, a key ingredient in electric car batteries, is concentrated by volcanic eruptions, rock weathering, and water evaporation over millions of years. Just like fossil fuels, once we use up all the lithium we can find, we will never be able to get more from the Earth. This is also true of the other metals and minerals required to build cars, wind turbines, and solar panels, among many other things. And while 100% recycling is a good idea in theory, in practice, 100% recycling is impossible — and industrial recycling is itself an energy-intensive and highly polluting industry.

 

The Costs of Modernity

 

True sustainability means meeting two conditions: first, we must use only what the Earth can regenerate on human time-scales. And second, that use must not degrade the natural world (this would reduce the Earth’s carrying capacity over time).

 

All of us descend from lines of ancestors who lived for thousands of years using the energy of the sun, energy stored in plants through photosynthesis, energy stored in the animals who ate those plants, and the animals who ate other animals. Living sustainably meant ensuring that we gave back as much as we took from the Earth, returning our biodegradable waste to the environment to decompose and provide food for animals, returning the energy we used to the circle of life.

 

If you find yourself balking, pause for a moment and take a deep breath. Your doubtfulness makes sense. We’ve all been raised to venerate technology, idolize engineers and scientists, and see modernity as progress. And it’s self-evident that modern technology is useful — and at times, lifesaving. There are certainly benefits from industrial modernity, especially for the wealthiest nations and people in the world.

 

Consider again, however, the costs. We live on the only planet known to support life in the universe, and as the global climate is destabilizing, 200 species a day are being driven extinct, overshoot is accelerating, and planetary life-support systems like forests and oceans are failing. Industrial civilization is undermining its own foundation; and as the historian Arnold Toynbee noted, “Great civilizations are not murdered. They take their own lives.” We are not immune from this historic pattern.

 

If environmental collapse is coming—or already here, with every indicator of ecological health heading in the wrong direction and accelerating—then returning to a simpler way of life is inevitable. The only question is, will we do so willingly, or will we be forced as modernity crumbles around us?

 

We face a choice: either we sacrifice the ability of future generations to live so that we can have another decade of smart phones and cars, or we make a change. The moral choice is clear.

 

The 6 Elements of Sustainability

 

Sustainability requires a completely different way of thinking and being in the world. It also requires concrete action. In this section, we lay out 6 elements to initiate transition to a truly sustainable society.

 

We Must Reduce

 

We Must Relocalize

 

We Must Ration

 

We Must Restore

 

We Must Rethink

 

We Must Remember

 

As you read through each element, you’ll see that all the elements are related to one another. We can’t ration if we don’t reduce. We can’t relocalize if we don’t restore the natural environment. And we can’t do any of this if we don’t rethink our way of being in the world, remember our connections to and dependency upon nature, and make revolutionary, not just incremental, change.

 

These are mutually supporting efforts that entail fundamental shifts in the goals we pursue in our culture and economy. Achieving them will require far-reaching political vision and leadership, some level of global cooperation, and an emergency mobilization of all society.(1)

 

Element 1: We Must Reduce

 

Reusing is trendy, recycling is mainstream, but reduction is taboo. We live in societies built on growth, where economic stagnation or negative population growth is considered an emergency. To move towards sustainability, we must dramatically reduce the size of the economy (including the amount we consume) and the size of our population.

 

Reducing consumption includes reducing and eventually eliminating our consumption of cars. The average household in the United States owns 1.88 cars. This is not sustainable.

 

Population, contrary to popular belief, can reduced in humane ways. It begins with making culturally-appropriate family planning, sex education, and birth control widely available. It also requires reproductive freedom for women. Such programs have been proven effective to reduce birth rates to below replacement level (2.1 children per woman), which means population will go down.

 

Reducing our consumption and our population is a key element to enable a rapid weaning off industrial fuels, energy, and materials, along with industrial agriculture (one of the main industries destroying the planet)

 

Element 2: We Must Relocalize

 

We live in the most mobile, globalized society to ever exist, depending on fossil-fueled trucks, cars, trains, airplanes, and ships to transport huge quantities of goods and huge numbers of people all over the planet on a daily basis. This is ecologically untenable.

 

The fact that many of us enjoy rapid, convenient travel is not important compared to life on this planet. Reversing ecological collapse isn’t about what we want and desire. It’s about what the planet can sustain.

 

A sustainable future is a local future, in which people live, work, and get the basic necessities of life close to home, and rarely travel long distances. The “locavore” movement has proposed the idea of a 100-mile diet to combat an unsustainable food system. The same concept should be adapted to travel.

 

Producing and powering automobiles is incredibly destructive to nature, and so a sustainable world means we must retire all cars and stop producing new ones. Reducing and eliminating car production and use means almost everything about our lifestyles has to change. If we try to completely replace cars with public transportation—attempting to allow the kind of freedom of travel we currently enjoy—we’re just going to create new problems to replace the old problems. Some public transportation will help in the transition to a world in which we all travel less, but the reality is, we’re all going to have to learn how to travel less.

 

This will be incredibly disruptive, but not as disruptive as ecological collapse. And there are benefits. In the future, we’ll walk and bike more, which means we’ll work close to where we live. We’ll need to depend more on our local communities. To carpool, or share a car with a neighborhood during a transition period, we’ll need to get to know the people we live next to a whole lot better. We won’t move as often, and we’ll probably live closer to our friends and families so we don’t have to travel so far to see them.

 

Relocalizing also means relocalizing what we consume, including food, clothes, what we use to build our homes and the stuff we put in them, medical care, and more. Currently, our society relies on global shipping networks of ships, trains, and trucks to deliver the things we use. This global shipping network cannot exist in a truly sustainable society. Therefore, we must learn how to live using only what we can get from our local areas. Initially that local area may be the entire country, then perhaps the state we live in, and then, finally, our local community.

 

We must be careful in the process of relocalizing because without simultaneously reducing population and consumption, this process could quickly destroy the environments around our local communities. It is critical that we prioritize what is most important—food, water, shelter, basic medical care—as we relocalize our communities and minimize our use of all material goods that are not absolutely essential.

 

Element 3: We Must Ration

 

Confronting ecological reality means confronting scarcity. When we stop making new cars, and begin gradually eliminating fossil fuels, the wealthy and powerful may seek to hoard resources (let’s be real: they’re already doing it). This results in violence and suffering, and will exacerbate shortages already occurring due to overshoot and ecological collapse.

 

Faced with this predicament, the moral approach is to ration what is left. Rationing must of course be accompanied by a dramatic reduction in the consumption of energy as well as material goods. A reasonable starting goal here (depending on the level of consumption in a given region) would be to rapidly reduce energy and material consumption by half, then aim for 90 percent or more.

 

Rationing should be implemented in fair ways and will require guardrails and procedures. For example, food, medical care, and other basic needs should be prioritized over shopping malls, consumer goods, entertainment, and so on (people should continue having fun, of course—but not in ways that are wasteful of energy and materials).

 

This rationing should also be implemented fairly and equitably on an international level. People in the U.S. and Europe, for example, should not be “rationed” an allotment of cobalt mined by slave labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nor should Congolese people be “rationed” an allotment of salmon exported from the Pacific Rim. Rationing will feel more dramatic in the wealthiest nations, because we use way, way too much. In poorer countries, rationing will not be as dramatic. We don’t subscribe to the colonial assertion that all countries should aim for a “Low-energy European lifestyle,” as is a common refrain in some degrowth communities. A low energy European lifestyle is grossly unsustainable when compared to land-based peoples, the only sustainable societies on Earth.

 

Element 4: We Must Restore

 

As we implement reduction, relocalizing, and rationing, we must simultaneously take action to protect forests, rivers, prairies, and other wild lands from development, logging, mining, and other destructive activities. As much as possible must be preserved.

 

To be effective, this will require a dramatic shift in economic structures. For example, jobs in extractive industries must be temporarily replaced with jobs in restoration (removing dams, tearing up concrete, dismantling malls and vast parking lots, earthworks to reduce erosion and build soil, waterworks to increase soil health and restore aquifers, and so on)—beginning with the least materially important/most frivolous sectors, and rapidly expanding to other areas of the economy.

 

As we reduce consumption—of everything—the economy as we know it will no longer exist. Going to the grocery store to get food that arrives there from all over the country and the world will no longer be an option. The food we eat will need to come from local sources, which means restoring habitat, soils, and watersheds. Surviving as part of nature rather than by dominating nature will not be an option without healthy, flourishing natural communities. Restoring these natural communities (“ecosystems”) and our relationships with the natural world should become everyone’s top priority. Restoring our local environments is also what will enable us to find enough food, clean water, and materials to build shelter without degrading the natural communities we depend on: we cannot relocalize without also restoring.

 

Focusing on restoration rather than a growing consumption-based economy will require global, widespread education programs and job retraining programs that can educate people in ecosystem restoration, watershed health, subsistence food production, biology, ecology, and permaculture.

 

This education should begin with young children, and as many people as possible should be put to work tearing down destructive infrastructure and replacing it with restored natural communities. Small-scale, place-based, ecologically embedded methods for survival and flourishing should be developed simultaneously. Shifting government subsidies from extractive, military, and other ecologically destructive activities would provide funding for these programs.

 

Element 5: We Must Rethink

 

Shifting from a lifestyle of consumption, immediate gratification, and a worldview that we are separate from the world and that the world is ours to consume will require completely changing how we think and the stories we tell. We must change from stories of domination to stories of cooperation, respect and gratitude for our place in the natural world.

 

Our entire media landscape is focused on selling us things, most of which we don’t really need. This is what keeps the growth economy growing. These stories perpetuate and expand unsustainable lifestyles of consumption, and they do so all around the world.

 

Instead, we need stories that help us understand how to live in a world of ecological collapse, a world in which our society, our population, and our consumption must scale down, rather than scaling forever up. We need stories that are local, that teach us how to live well in the place we are now, and how to deal with the challenges we all will face as we shift in our way of being in the world. And we need culture, education, music, poetry, and other traditions that support that shift.

 

Element 6: We Must Remember

 

Karl Benz was the first person to sell cars. Between 1888 and 1893, he sold 25 Benz gas-powered vehicles, or “horseless carriages,” to customers. The Motorwagen, as it was called, had a 1 liter single-cylinder engine with 2/3 of one horsepower. By 1899, Benz was the largest car company in the world, selling 572 cars.

 

Many of you probably have great grandparents, or great-great grandparents, who were born before 1899. It’s likely none of them owned a car. And yet it is unthinkable for most people in the United States to imagine life without a car, or without being able to get on a plane, or a train, or a bus. In little more than 130 years we’ve completely transformed our society from one in which most people walked everywhere to one in which most people own a car and drive whenever they want. Three generations—a blink of the eye in compared to the 300,000 or so years humans have been on this Earth—is all it took to forget what it’s like to get around without a motor.

 

We can remember. If your grandparents or great grandparents are still alive, ask them what it was like before most people owned a car. Ask them what it was like before we had plastic, when most things people purchased were made to last a lifetime.

 

This is just the beginning of the remembering required to change our stories. We must remember that before industrial civilization, before we forgot that we aren’t at the top of some imagined hierarchy allowed to take whatever we want from the world without giving anything back, humans lived in cooperation with the rest of the natural world, and the stories our ancestors told each other reflected that. These are the stories we must remember.

 

Facing Reality

 

If all of this sounds like a fantasy to you, we feel the same way. The massive transformation we’ve outlined in these elements is incredibly unlikely to happen at the speed and scale necessary to halt the ongoing ecological crisis. There is simply too much inertia and power behind endless growth.

 

This makes it likely we are facing the collapse of civilization in coming years and decades. In fact, the gradual unraveling has begun.

 

Everything is heading in the wrong direction: population growth and consumption goes up, so economic growth goes up, so development goes up, so extraction goes up, so pollution goes up, and so habitat and species loss goes up. These trends have been described by the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP) as the Great Acceleration, and you may be familiar with the graphic the IGBP published in 2015 illustrating skyrocketing trends across 24 socioeconomic and earth system categories:

 

In 2015, there were 7.3 billion people on the planet. There are now 8 billion. Governments encourage population growth with child tax credits and, in some countries, by paying people to have more children.

 

In 2015, there were 1.2 billion cars and commercial vehicles in use around the world. Now there is almost 1.5 billion. Governments encourage electric car purchases with tax credits, and encourage car corporations by lowering corporate tax rates, and by making sure these companies stay in business with bailouts and fiscal incentives.

 

In 2015, global average CO2 concentration was 399 ppm. In 2022, it’s up to 421 ppm. Governments work hard to ensure steady economic growth through central bank fiscal policies, laws friendly to corporations, and aid packages during recessions. Economic growth is tied to CO2 concentrations because economic growth is tied to fossil fuel use and materials use.

 

Each year, industrial culture grows. Each year, we get further away from sustainability.

 

It is anathema in our society to suggest that growth might not be desirable. Imagine a politician running for congress or the presidency in the United States, saying: “We need to cut back, reverse economic growth, tighten our belts, curb population growth, stop being consumeristic, and spend less money.” Do you think that politician would be successful in getting elected? No, we don’t either. (Nonetheless, we expect this to become a pillar of independent political parties in the future, and gradually become more mainstream).

 

Instead of understanding ourselves as animals completely dependent on habitat for our lives, modern society teaches us to see ourselves as consumers. The stories we are told by corporations and the stories we tell each other are that growth is good, and we get there by consuming more. And so, we are encouraged every day by our governments, by corporations, even by our peer groups, to believe that we can buy our way out of the crises we face. If we just buy an electric vehicle, or buy our electricity from a community solar project, or buy a pair of jeans from a company that has pledged to build a “sustainable supply chain,” then everything will be okay.

 

But we all know this is wrong. Once we begin to understand the scale and scope of the impacts of industrial culture, it quickly becomes obvious that we can’t buy our way out of this predicament, and that incremental change will never be enough. We must face that reality.

 

The Revolutionary Moment

 

Ecological collapse is already well underway and social collapse is not far behind. So what do we do?

 

Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” We need completely different ways of thinking, completely different ways of living in the world, and completely different stories. And we need concrete change to the institutions and political structures of our world. In short, we need revolutionary change.

 

“Revolutionary” means “involving or causing a complete or dramatic change.” When you hear the word “revolutionary” you might immediately wonder, “Does that mean I need to help overthrow the government, because maybe I’m not up for that.” Revolutionary change means changing everything, from where we get our food, to how we build our homes, to how we get around, to—yes—creating different kinds of government. In these revolutionary times, revolutionary responses are justified—especially since many powerful people and institutions are prepared to lie, cheat, and fight to defend the old status quo.

 

Radical changes are coming, whether we want them or not. We are entering a revolutionary moment, where the contradiction — the fundamental conflict — between civilization and ecology is coming to a head. We are already seeing increased environmental radicalism and an associated authoritarian backlash. We believe in observing these truths and acting upon them, rather than trying to deny reality. In this moment, we believe that means acting to steer the future towards the most just, humane outcomes.

 

It’s time to gather our courage. We are not alone. We are not alone in facing the ecological crisis, and we will not be alone if we work together on the solution. To reiterate what we said earlier, it will take all of us: all our different passions and skills, and whatever each individual has to offer. We will each play a part, and do what we can, together.

 

Top 15 Actions To Begin Moving Towards A Truly Sustainable Society

 

Governments must stop subsidizing all environmentally and socially destructive activities and shift those subsidies to activities that restore biotic communities and that promote local self-sufficiency.

 

Governments must ensure reproductive freedom and full political, economic, and sexual liberty for women around the world.

 

Immediately and permanently halt all extractive and destructive activities: mining, fracking, mountaintop removal, tar sands production, nuclear power, and offshore drilling chief among them. This includes halting manufacture and production of all cars.

 

Immediately and completely protect all remaining native forests, prairies, and wetlands.

 

Restore all damaged lands and restore soil. Confiscate land from those who do not do this.

 

Immediately halt all activities that draw down acquifers.

 

Restore all polluted and compromised rivers, including halting all dam construction and removing all existing dams.

 

Immediately begin phasing-out mono-crop agriculture.

 

Charge government with increasing the number and range of threatened and endangered wildlife and the habitat they require.

 

Governments stop funding for new, large infrastructure and development projects, including new highways, dams, power projects, mines, etc.

 

Reduce carbon emissions by 20% per year, over the next five years to prevent catastrophic climate change.

 

Begin to contract global economies while ensuring all have basic needs met.

 

Significantly reduce consumption of all but strictly necessary goods and services.

 

Punish environmental crimes commensurate with the harm caused to the public and to the planet.

 

Close all U.S. military bases on foreign soil, and bring home all military personnel within two years. Reduce the military budget by 20% per year until it reaches 20% of its current size. Replace the Department of Defense with the Department of Peace.

 

Despite the magnitude of change that’s required, local and regional efforts to begin the work described above will pay dividends regardless, mitigating some of the worst outcomes.

 

One Possible Future

 

There’s a lot to describe about a long term vision—we could write a book about such a vision. So we highlight just some of the ways we see our solution unfolding if humanity could come together to make it happen.

 

50 years:

 

Birth rates have fallen significantly and the great decline in population has begun, reducing pressure on Earth’s ecosystems.

 

The most wasteful, least-useful, most polluting industries (e.g. cruise ships, shopping malls, golf courses, chemical manufacturers) have been shut down for decades.

 

All new fossil fuel extraction has ended and a rationing program is in place. Fossil fuel use from the remaining stored reserves is prioritized for the most important uses: food, water, and emergency medical use, and total burn is less than 2% of peak levels.

 

Material extraction has plummeted. Populations have migrated from suburbs, isolated rural homes, and urban centers alike to cluster in small, widely spaced villages, where they repurpose materials from buildings torn down in areas that are being restored and engage in small scale food production and craft industry.

 

The foundation for new governmental structures based on direct democracy and representative assemblies has been laid. Militaries have been dramatically scaled down and restructured to focus on land restoration.

 

100 years:

 

Human population is nearing 2 billion and steadily falling.

 

As population has declined, most people have migrated from areas of extreme cold and heat to more temperate zones where less energy is required to stay warm and grow food. We all live hyper-local lives, living near relatives and friends for our entire lives, and spend most of the day restoring ecosystems, hunting and growing food, relaxing, and building community.

 

No fossil fuels are being burned. All mining and chemical manufacturing has been terminated. All nuclear power plants have been shut down and all nuclear waste has been stored as safely as possible. All large dams have been removed.

 

Small electrical systems are maintained in a few regional locations for medical procedures. People rely on simple, time-tested technologies such as passive solar, perennial polycultures, and animal husbandry for basic needs.

 

Government is becoming more local, but regional confederations and even global trade networks are maintained for diplomacy, a small amount of trade, and information sharing.

 

500 years:

 

Human population is less than 100 million.

 

Each year there are more salmon that return to rivers than the previous year; each year there are more songbirds than the previous year. Forests are beginning to grow old again, creating thriving habitat for plants and animals, and humans have begun to relearn how to exist as human mammals in the great web of life.

 

Natural communities are well on their way to recovery, so food and cleaner water are once again abundant. Forever chemicals still pollute every square inch of the world, and continue impacting our health, but over the coming millennia will gradually pose less of a problem for humans and the rest of the natural world as they become sequestered under layers of soil and rock.

 

Children are no longer raised learning the names of corporations, but instead learn stories about the names of plants and animals, how to hunt and fish, which plants are edible and which are not, how to build shelters, and how to stay warm. The stories told around the fire at night describe the great rehumanizing of our species, our recovered relationships with the natural world, and the sacredness of all life on Planet Earth.

  

Posted by Max Wilbert on facebook

My first visit to MRL in 2015 I remembered seeing a flame cut whistle post on the mainline somewhere east of Garrison. We (Welch and I) had places to be seeing as we were racing towards Helena to get the local with an SD45 leader and I didn't remember seeing another one. I didn't prioritize it but I didn't forget it. So, since my experience on MRL's branch lines was nonexistent until this spring I had assumed that was a one-off. Imagine my surprise as I arrived at Sappington and saw another one freshly painted!

 

The next day was Harrison Day for the Logan local. I figured it would be a pretty easy job to pick shots on a 10mph line but then I got out towards Harrison and there were 4 things I wanted to do within a mile or so of one another! Some aggression got me this neat dark-sider of a flame cut whistle post with mountains and the train climbing one heck of a grade and I'm pretty happy.

waited for blue hour to take this image, there was just too many things to shoot for me to prioritize what to go after, i was shooting this a bit high as the lupine was almost up to my chest, extending my tripod height to enable me to shoot down a bit. i had no idea there were tons of spiders (small non venomous ones) that were starting to crawl out.

Ken Wheatley doesn’t exactly prioritize his men’s safety during these capture missions.

 

Back with another new post, been wanting to have some mercenaries in action.

Biennalist :

Biennalist is an Art Format commenting on active biennials and managed cultural events through artworks.Biennalist takes the thematics of the biennales and similar events like festivals and conferences seriously, questioning the established structures of the staged art events in order to contribute to the debate, which they wish to generate.

-------------------------------------------

links about Biennalist :

 

Thierry Geoffroy/Colonel:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thierry_Geoffroy

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Room_(art)

 

www.emergencyrooms.org/formats.html

 

www.colonel.dk/

 

—--Biennale from wikipedia —--

 

The Venice International Film Festival is part of the Venice Biennale. The famous Golden Lion is awarded to the best film screening at the competition.

Biennale (Italian: [bi.enˈnaːle]), Italian for "biennial" or "every other year", is any event that happens every two years. It is most commonly used within the art world to describe large-scale international contemporary art exhibitions. As such the term was popularised by Venice Biennale, which was first held in 1895. Since the 1990s, the terms "biennale" and "biennial" have been interchangeably used in a more generic way - to signify a large-scale international survey show of contemporary art that recurs at regular intervals but not necessarily biannual (such as triennials, Documenta, Skulptur Projekte Münster).[1] The phrase has also been used for other artistic events, such as the "Biennale de Paris", "Kochi-Muziris Biennale", Berlinale (for the Berlin International Film Festival) and Viennale (for Vienna's international film festival).

Characteristics[edit]

According to author Federica Martini, what is at stake in contemporary biennales is the diplomatic/international relations potential as well as urban regeneration plans. Besides being mainly focused on the present (the “here and now” where the cultural event takes place and their effect of "spectacularisation of the everyday"), because of their site-specificity cultural events may refer back to,[who?] produce or frame the history of the site and communities' collective memory.[2]

 

The Great Exhibition in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, in 1851, the first attempt to condense the representation of the world within a unitary exhibition space.

A strong and influent symbol of biennales and of large-scale international exhibitions in general is the Crystal Palace, the gigantic and futuristic London architecture that hosted the Great Exhibition in 1851. According to philosopher Peter Sloterdijk,[3][page needed] the Crystal Palace is the first attempt to condense the representation of the world in a unitary exhibition space, where the main exhibit is society itself in an a-historical, spectacular condition. The Crystal Palace main motives were the affirmation of British economic and national leadership and the creation of moments of spectacle. In this respect, 19th century World fairs provided a visual crystallization of colonial culture and were, at the same time, forerunners of contemporary theme parks.

The Venice Biennale as an archetype[edit]

 

The structure of the Venice Biennale in 2005 with an international exhibition and the national pavilions.

The Venice Biennale, a periodical large-scale cultural event founded in 1895, served as an archetype of the biennales. Meant to become a World Fair focused on contemporary art, the Venice Biennale used as a pretext the wedding anniversary of the Italian king and followed up to several national exhibitions organised after Italy unification in 1861. The Biennale immediately put forth issues of city marketing, cultural tourism and urban regeneration, as it was meant to reposition Venice on the international cultural map after the crisis due to the end of the Grand Tour model and the weakening of the Venetian school of painting. Furthermore, the Gardens where the Biennale takes place were an abandoned city area that needed to be re-functionalised. In cultural terms, the Biennale was meant to provide on a biennial basis a platform for discussing contemporary art practices that were not represented in fine arts museums at the time. The early Biennale model already included some key points that are still constitutive of large-scale international art exhibitions today: a mix of city marketing, internationalism, gentrification issues and destination culture, and the spectacular, large scale of the event.

Biennials after the 1990s[edit]

The situation of biennials has changed in the contemporary context: while at its origin in 1895 Venice was a unique cultural event, but since the 1990s hundreds of biennials have been organized across the globe. Given the ephemeral and irregular nature of some biennials, there is little consensus on the exact number of biennials in existence at any given time.[citation needed] Furthermore, while Venice was a unique agent in the presentation of contemporary art, since the 1960s several museums devoted to contemporary art are exhibiting the contemporary scene on a regular basis. Another point of difference concerns 19th century internationalism in the arts, that was brought into question by post-colonial debates and criticism of the contemporary art “ethnic marketing”, and also challenged the Venetian and World Fair’s national representation system. As a consequence of this, Eurocentric tendency to implode the whole word in an exhibition space, which characterises both the Crystal Palace and the Venice Biennale, is affected by the expansion of the artistic geographical map to scenes traditionally considered as marginal. The birth of the Havana Biennial in 1984 is widely considered an important counterpoint to the Venetian model for its prioritization of artists working in the Global South and curatorial rejection of the national pavilion model.

International biennales[edit]

In the term's most commonly used context of major recurrent art exhibitions:

Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, South Australia

Asian Art Biennale, in Taichung, Taiwan (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts)

Athens Biennale, in Athens, Greece

Bienal de Arte Paiz, in Guatemala City, Guatemala[4]

Arts in Marrakech (AiM) International Biennale (Arts in Marrakech Festival)

Bamako Encounters, a biennale of photography in Mali

Bat-Yam International Biennale of Landscape Urbanism

Beijing Biennale

Berlin Biennale (contemporary art biennale, to be distinguished from Berlinale, which is a film festival)

Bergen Assembly (triennial for contemporary art in Bergen, Norway)www.bergenassembly.no

Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture, in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China

Bienal de Arte de Ponce in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Biënnale van België, Biennial of Belgium, Belgium

BiennaleOnline Online biennial exhibition of contemporary art from the most promising emerging artists.

Biennial of Hawaii Artists

Biennale de la Biche, the smallest biennale in the world held at deserted island near Guadeloupe, French overseas region[5][6]

Biwako Biennale [ja], in Shiga, Japan

La Biennale de Montreal

Biennale of Luanda : Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace,[7] Angola

Boom Festival, international music and culture festival in Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal

Bucharest Biennale in Bucharest, Romania

Bushwick Biennial, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York

Canakkale Biennial, in Canakkale, Turkey

Cerveira International Art Biennial, Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal [8]

Changwon Sculpture Biennale in Changwon, South Korea

Dakar Biennale, also called Dak'Art, biennale in Dakar, Senegal

Documenta, contemporary art exhibition held every five years in Kassel, Germany

Estuaire (biennale), biennale in Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, France

EVA International, biennial in Limerick, Republic of Ireland

Göteborg International Biennial for Contemporary Art, in Gothenburg, Sweden[9]

Greater Taipei Contemporary Art Biennial, in Taipei, Taiwan

Gwangju Biennale, Asia's first and most prestigious contemporary art biennale

Havana biennial, in Havana, Cuba

Helsinki Biennial, in Helsinki, Finland

Herzliya Biennial For Contemporary Art, in Herzliya, Israel

Incheon Women Artists' Biennale, in Incheon, South Korea

Iowa Biennial, in Iowa, USA

Istanbul Biennial, in Istanbul, Turkey

International Roaming Biennial of Tehran, in Tehran and Istanbul

Jakarta Biennale, in Jakarta, Indonesia

Jerusalem Biennale, in Jerusalem, Israel

Jogja Biennale, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Karachi Biennale, in Karachi, Pakistan

Keelung Harbor Biennale, in Keelung, Taiwan

Kochi-Muziris Biennale, largest art exhibition in India, in Kochi, Kerala, India

Kortrijk Design Biennale Interieur, in Kortrijk, Belgium

Kobe Biennale, in Japan

Kuandu Biennale, in Taipei, Taiwan

Lagos Biennial, in Lagos, Nigeria[10]

Light Art Biennale Austria, in Austria

Liverpool Biennial, in Liverpool, UK

Lofoten International Art Festival [no] (LIAF), on the Lofoten archipelago, Norway[11]

Manifesta, European Biennale of contemporary art in different European cities

Mediations Biennale, in Poznań, Poland

Melbourne International Biennial 1999

Mediterranean Biennale in Sakhnin 2013

MOMENTA Biennale de l'image [fr] (formerly known as Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal), in Montreal, Canada

MOMENTUM [no], in Moss, Norway[12]

Moscow Biennale, in Moscow, Russia

Munich Biennale, new opera and music-theatre in even-numbered years

Mykonos Biennale

Nakanojo Biennale[13]

NGV Triennial, contemporary art exhibition held every three years at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

October Salon – Belgrade Biennale [sr], organised by the Cultural Center of Belgrade [sr], in Belgrade, Serbia[14]

OSTEN Biennial of Drawing Skopje, North Macedonia[15]

Biennale de Paris

Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art (RIBOCA), in Riga, Latvia[16]

São Paulo Art Biennial, in São Paulo, Brazil

SCAPE Public Art Christchurch Biennial in Christchurch, New Zealand[17]

Prospect New Orleans

Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism

Sequences, in Reykjavík, Iceland[18]

Shanghai Biennale

Sharjah Biennale, in Sharjah, UAE

Singapore Biennale, held in various locations across the city-state island of Singapore

Screen City Biennial, in Stavanger, Norway

Biennale of Sydney

Taipei Biennale, in Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan Arts Biennale, in Taichung, Taiwan (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts)

Taiwan Film Biennale, in Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, U.S.A.

Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art [el], in Thessaloniki, Greece[19]

Dream city, produced by ART Rue Association in Tunisia

Vancouver Biennale

Visayas Islands Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference (VIVA ExCon) in the Philippines [20]

Venice Biennale, in Venice, Italy, which includes:

Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art

Venice Biennale of Architecture

Venice Film Festival

Vladivostok biennale of Visual Arts, in Vladivostok, Russia

Whitney Biennial, hosted by the Whitney Museum of American Art, in New York City, NY, USA

Web Biennial, produced with teams from Athens, Berlin and Istanbul.

West Africa Architecture Biennale,[21] Virtual in Lagos, Nigeria.

WRO Biennale, in Wrocław, Poland[22]

Music Biennale Zagreb

[SHIFT:ibpcpa] The International Biennale of Performance, Collaborative and Participatory Arts, Nomadic, International, Scotland, UK.

 

—---Venice Biennale from wikipedia —

 

The Venice Biennale (/ˌbiːɛˈnɑːleɪ, -li/; Italian: La Biennale di Venezia) is an international cultural exhibition hosted annually in Venice, Italy by the Biennale Foundation.[2][3][4] The biennale has been organised every year since 1895, which makes it the oldest of its kind. The main exhibition held in Castello, in the halls of the Arsenale and Biennale Gardens, alternates between art and architecture (hence the name biennale; biennial).[5][6][7] The other events hosted by the Foundation—spanning theatre, music, and dance—are held annually in various parts of Venice, whereas the Venice Film Festival takes place at the Lido.[8]

Organization[edit]

Art Biennale

Art Biennale

International Art Exhibition

1895

Even-numbered years (since 2022)

Venice Biennale of Architecture

International Architecture Exhibition

1980

Odd-numbered years (since 2021)

Biennale Musica

International Festival of Contemporary Music

1930

Annually (Sep/Oct)

Biennale Teatro

International Theatre Festival

1934

Annually (Jul/Aug)

Venice Film Festival

Venice International Film Festival

1932

Annually (Aug/Sep)

Venice Dance Biennale

International Festival of Contemporary Dance

1999

Annually (June; biennially 2010–16)

  

International Kids' Carnival

2009

Annually (during Carnevale)

  

History

1895–1947

On April 19, 1893, the Venetian City Council passed a resolution to set up an biennial exhibition of Italian Art ("Esposizione biennale artistica nazionale") to celebrate the silver anniversary of King Umberto I and Margherita of Savoy.[11]

A year later, the council decreed "to adopt a 'by invitation' system; to reserve a section of the Exhibition for foreign artists too; to admit works by uninvited Italian artists, as selected by a jury."[12]

The first Biennale, "I Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia (1st International Art Exhibition of the City of Venice)" (although originally scheduled for April 22, 1894) was opened on April 30, 1895, by the Italian King and Queen, Umberto I and Margherita di Savoia. The first exhibition was seen by 224,000 visitors.

The event became increasingly international in the first decades of the 20th century: from 1907 on, several countries installed national pavilions at the exhibition, with the first being from Belgium. In 1910 the first internationally well-known artists were displayed: a room dedicated to Gustav Klimt, a one-man show for Renoir, a retrospective of Courbet. A work by Picasso "Family of Saltimbanques" was removed from the Spanish salon in the central Palazzo because it was feared that its novelty might shock the public. By 1914 seven pavilions had been established: Belgium (1907), Hungary (1909), Germany (1909), Great Britain (1909), France (1912), and Russia (1914).

During World War I, the 1916 and 1918 events were cancelled.[13] In 1920 the post of mayor of Venice and president of the Biennale was split. The new secretary general, Vittorio Pica brought about the first presence of avant-garde art, notably Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.

1922 saw an exhibition of sculpture by African artists. Between the two World Wars, many important modern artists had their work exhibited there. In 1928 the Istituto Storico d'Arte Contemporanea (Historical Institute of Contemporary Art) opened, which was the first nucleus of archival collections of the Biennale. In 1930 its name was changed into Historical Archive of Contemporary Art.

In 1930, the Biennale was transformed into an Ente Autonomo (Autonomous Board) by Royal Decree with law no. 33 of 13-1-1930. Subsequently, the control of the Biennale passed from the Venice city council to the national Fascist government under Benito Mussolini. This brought on a restructuring, an associated financial boost, as well as a new president, Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata. Three entirely new events were established, including the Biennale Musica in 1930, also referred to as International Festival of Contemporary Music; the Venice Film Festival in 1932, which they claim as the first film festival in history,[14] also referred to as Venice International Film Festival; and the Biennale Theatro in 1934, also referred to as International Theatre Festival.

In 1933 the Biennale organized an exhibition of Italian art abroad. From 1938, Grand Prizes were awarded in the art exhibition section.

During World War II, the activities of the Biennale were interrupted: 1942 saw the last edition of the events. The Film Festival restarted in 1946, the Music and Theatre festivals were resumed in 1947, and the Art Exhibition in 1948.[15]

1948–1973[edit]

The Art Biennale was resumed in 1948 with a major exhibition of a recapitulatory nature. The Secretary General, art historian Rodolfo Pallucchini, started with the Impressionists and many protagonists of contemporary art including Chagall, Klee, Braque, Delvaux, Ensor, and Magritte, as well as a retrospective of Picasso's work. Peggy Guggenheim was invited to exhibit her collection, later to be permanently housed at Ca' Venier dei Leoni.

1949 saw the beginning of renewed attention to avant-garde movements in European—and later worldwide—movements in contemporary art. Abstract expressionism was introduced in the 1950s, and the Biennale is credited with importing Pop Art into the canon of art history by awarding the top prize to Robert Rauschenberg in 1964.[16] From 1948 to 1972, Italian architect Carlo Scarpa did a series of remarkable interventions in the Biennale's exhibition spaces.

In 1954 the island San Giorgio Maggiore provided the venue for the first Japanese Noh theatre shows in Europe. 1956 saw the selection of films following an artistic selection and no longer based upon the designation of the participating country. The 1957 Golden Lion went to Satyajit Ray's Aparajito which introduced Indian cinema to the West.

1962 included Arte Informale at the Art Exhibition with Jean Fautrier, Hans Hartung, Emilio Vedova, and Pietro Consagra. The 1964 Art Exhibition introduced continental Europe to Pop Art (The Independent Group had been founded in Britain in 1952). The American Robert Rauschenberg was the first American artist to win the Gran Premio, and the youngest to date.

The student protests of 1968 also marked a crisis for the Biennale. Student protests hindered the opening of the Biennale. A resulting period of institutional changes opened and ending with a new Statute in 1973. In 1969, following the protests, the Grand Prizes were abandoned. These resumed in 1980 for the Mostra del Cinema and in 1986 for the Art Exhibition.[17]

In 1972, for the first time, a theme was adopted by the Biennale, called "Opera o comportamento" ("Work or Behaviour").

Starting from 1973 the Music Festival was no longer held annually. During the year in which the Mostra del Cinema was not held, there was a series of "Giornate del cinema italiano" (Days of Italian Cinema) promoted by sectorial bodies in campo Santa Margherita, in Venice.[18]

1974–1998[edit]

1974 saw the start of the four-year presidency of Carlo Ripa di Meana. The International Art Exhibition was not held (until it was resumed in 1976). Theatre and cinema events were held in October 1974 and 1975 under the title Libertà per il Cile (Freedom for Chile)—a major cultural protest against the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

On 15 November 1977, the so-called Dissident Biennale (in reference to the dissident movement in the USSR) opened. Because of the ensuing controversies within the Italian left wing parties, president Ripa di Meana resigned at the end of the year.[19]

In 1979 the new presidency of Giuseppe Galasso (1979-1982) began. The principle was laid down whereby each of the artistic sectors was to have a permanent director to organise its activity.

In 1980, the Architecture section of the Biennale was set up. The director, Paolo Portoghesi, opened the Corderie dell'Arsenale to the public for the first time. At the Mostra del Cinema, the awards were brought back into being (between 1969 and 1979, the editions were non-competitive). In 1980, Achille Bonito Oliva and Harald Szeemann introduced "Aperto", a section of the exhibition designed to explore emerging art. Italian art historian Giovanni Carandente directed the 1988 and 1990 editions. A three-year gap was left afterwards to make sure that the 1995 edition would coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Biennale.[13]

The 1993 edition was directed by Achille Bonito Oliva. In 1995, Jean Clair was appointed to be the Biennale's first non-Italian director of visual arts[20] while Germano Celant served as director in 1997.

For the Centenary in 1995, the Biennale promoted events in every sector of its activity: the 34th Festival del Teatro, the 46th art exhibition, the 46th Festival di Musica, the 52nd Mostra del Cinema.[21]

1999–present[edit]

In 1999 and 2001, Harald Szeemann directed two editions in a row (48th & 49th) bringing in a larger representation of artists from Asia and Eastern Europe and more young artists than usual and expanded the show into several newly restored spaces of the Arsenale.

In 1999 a new sector was created for live shows: DMT (Dance Music Theatre).

The 50th edition, 2003, directed by Francesco Bonami, had a record number of seven co-curators involved, including Hans Ulrich Obrist, Catherine David, Igor Zabel, Hou Hanru and Massimiliano Gioni.

The 51st edition of the Biennale opened in June 2005, curated, for the first time by two women, Maria de Corral and Rosa Martinez. De Corral organized "The Experience of Art" which included 41 artists, from past masters to younger figures. Rosa Martinez took over the Arsenale with "Always a Little Further." Drawing on "the myth of the romantic traveler" her exhibition involved 49 artists, ranging from the elegant to the profane.

In 2007, Robert Storr became the first director from the United States to curate the Biennale (the 52nd), with a show entitled Think with the Senses – Feel with the Mind. Art in the Present Tense.

Swedish curator Daniel Birnbaum was artistic director of the 2009 edition entitled "Fare Mondi // Making Worlds".

The 2011 edition was curated by Swiss curator Bice Curiger entitled "ILLUMInazioni – ILLUMInations".

The Biennale in 2013 was curated by the Italian Massimiliano Gioni. His title and theme, Il Palazzo Enciclopedico / The Encyclopedic Palace, was adopted from an architectural model by the self-taught Italian-American artist Marino Auriti. Auriti's work, The Encyclopedic Palace of the World was lent by the American Folk Art Museum and exhibited in the first room of the Arsenale for the duration of the biennale. For Gioni, Auriti's work, "meant to house all worldly knowledge, bringing together the greatest discoveries of the human race, from the wheel to the satellite," provided an analogous figure for the "biennale model itself...based on the impossible desire to concentrate the infinite worlds of contemporary art in a single place: a task that now seems as dizzyingly absurd as Auriti's dream."[22]

Curator Okwui Enwezor was responsible for the 2015 edition.[23] He was the first African-born curator of the biennial. As a catalyst for imagining different ways of imagining multiple desires and futures Enwezor commissioned special projects and programs throughout the Biennale in the Giardini. This included a Creative Time Summit, e-flux journal's SUPERCOMMUNITY, Gulf Labor Coalition, The Invisible Borders Trans-African Project and Abounaddara.[24][25]

The 2017 Biennale, titled Viva Arte Viva, was directed by French curator Christine Macel who called it an "exhibition inspired by humanism".[26] German artist Franz Erhard Walter won the Golden Lion for best artist, while Carolee Schneemann was awarded a posthumous Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.[27]

The 2019 Biennale, titled May You Live In Interesting Times, was directed by American-born curator Ralph Rugoff.[28]

The 2022 edition was curated by Italian curator Cecilia Alemani entitled "The Milk of Dreams" after a book by British-born Mexican surrealist painter Leonora Carrington.[29]

The Biennale has an attendance today of over 500,000 visitors.[30][31][32]

Role in the art market[edit]

When the Venice Biennale was founded in 1895, one of its main goals was to establish a new market for contemporary art. Between 1942 and 1968 a sales office assisted artists in finding clients and selling their work,[33] a service for which it charged 10% commission. Sales remained an intrinsic part of the biennale until 1968, when a sales ban was enacted. An important practical reason why the focus on non-commodities has failed to decouple Venice from the market is that the biennale itself lacks the funds to produce, ship and install these large-scale works. Therefore, the financial involvement of dealers is widely regarded as indispensable;[16] as they regularly front the funding for production of ambitious projects.[34] Furthermore, every other year the Venice Biennale coincides with nearby Art Basel, the world's prime commercial fair for modern and contemporary art. Numerous galleries with artists on show in Venice usually bring work by the same artists to Basel.[35]

Central Pavilion and Arsenale[edit]

The formal Biennale is based at a park, the Giardini. The Giardini includes a large exhibition hall that houses a themed exhibition curated by the Biennale's director.

Initiated in 1980, the Aperto began as a fringe event for younger artists and artists of a national origin not represented by the permanent national pavilions. This is usually staged in the Arsenale and has become part of the formal biennale programme. In 1995 there was no Aperto so a number of participating countries hired venues to show exhibitions of emerging artists. From 1999, both the international exhibition and the Aperto were held as one exhibition, held both at the Central Pavilion and the Arsenale. Also in 1999, a $1 million renovation transformed the Arsenale area into a cluster of renovated shipyards, sheds and warehouses, more than doubling the Arsenale's exhibition space of previous years.[36]

A special edition of the 54th Biennale was held at Padiglione Italia of Torino Esposizioni – Sala Nervi (December 2011 – February 2012) for the 150th Anniversary of Italian Unification. The event was directed by Vittorio Sgarbi.[37]

National pavilions[edit]

Main article: National pavilions at the Venice Biennale

The Giardini houses 30 permanent national pavilions.[13] Alongside the Central Pavilion, built in 1894 and later restructured and extended several times, the Giardini are occupied by a further 29 pavilions built at different periods by the various countries participating in the Biennale. The first nation to build a pavilion was Belgium in 1907, followed by Germany, Britain and Hungary in 1909.[13] The pavilions are the property of the individual countries and are managed by their ministries of culture.[38]

Countries not owning a pavilion in the Giardini are exhibited in other venues across Venice. The number of countries represented is still growing. In 2005, China was showing for the first time, followed by the African Pavilion and Mexico (2007), the United Arab Emirates (2009), and India (2011).[39]

The assignment of the permanent pavilions was largely dictated by the international politics of the 1930s and the Cold War. There is no single format to how each country manages their pavilion, established and emerging countries represented at the biennial maintain and fund their pavilions in different ways.[38] While pavilions are usually government-funded, private money plays an increasingly large role; in 2015, the pavilions of Iraq, Ukraine and Syria were completely privately funded.[40] The pavilion for Great Britain is always managed by the British Council[41] while the United States assigns the responsibility to a public gallery chosen by the Department of State which, since 1985, has been the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.[42] The countries at the Arsenale that request a temporary exhibition space pay a hire fee per square meter.[38]

In 2011, the countries were Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia and Slovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Wales and Zimbabwe. In addition to this there are two collective pavilions: Central Asia Pavilion and Istituto Italo-Latino Americano. In 2013, eleven new participant countries developed national pavilions for the Biennale: Angola, Bosnia and Herzegowina, the Bahamas, Bahrain, the Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Kuwait, the Maldives, Paraguay, Tuvalu, and the Holy See. In 2015, five new participant countries developed pavilions for the Biennale: Grenada,[43] Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Seychelles, Mauritius and Mongolia. In 2017, three countries participated in the Art Biennale for the first time: Antigua & Barbuda, Kiribati, and Nigeria.[44] In 2019, four countries participated in the Art Biennale for the first time: Ghana, Madagascar, Malaysia, and Pakistan.[45]

As well as the national pavilions there are countless "unofficial pavilions"[46] that spring up every year. In 2009 there were pavilions such as the Gabon Pavilion and a Peckham pavilion. In 2017 The Diaspora Pavilion bought together 19 artists from complex, multinational backgrounds to challenge the prevalence of the nation state at the Biennale.[47]

The Internet Pavilion (Italian: Padiglione Internet) was founded in 2009 as a platform for activists and artists working in new media.[48][49][50] Subsequent editions were held since,[51] 2013,[51] in conjunction with the biennale.[52]

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وینسVenetsiya

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venice biennale Venezia Venedig biennalen Bienal_de_Venecia Venise Venecia Bienalo Bienal Biënnale Venetië Veneza Μπιενάλε της Βενετίας ヴェネツィ ア・ビエンナーレ 威尼斯双年展 Venedik Bienali Venetsian biennaali Wenecji biennial #venicebiennale #venicebiennial biennalism

Veneziako Venecija Venècia Venetië Veneetsia Venetsia VenedigΒ ενετία Velence Feneyjar Venice Venēcija Venezja Venezia Wenecja VenezaVeneția Venetsiya Benátky Benetke Fenisוועניס Վենետիկ ভেনি স威尼斯 威尼斯 ვენეციისવે નિસवेनिसヴ ェネツィアವೆನಿಸ್베니스வெனிஸ்వెనిస్เวนิซوینس Venetsiya Italy italia

 

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headband protest fashion protestfashion artistic intervention performance artformat action installation critical critic critique institutional critic choregraphy scenography

#venicebiennale #biennalist #artformat #biennale #artbiennale #biennial

#BiennaleArte2024 #artformat

I am a civic activist for Progressive causes and oppose the Corporate State promoted by the fascist “tea party” RepUGLYcans who act as pimps for greedy multi-national corporations, and I oppose police brutality and domestic spying to maintain white male privilege. Business As Usual is destroying our environment and wrecking our economy for most Americans. Politics As Usual is destroying our representative democracy. From the desk you see in this photo, I sign petitions to our elected leaders and representatives, I submit comments to government proposals online and in person, and I attend public meetings of civic groups and government agencies and often speak out when the public is asked for comments. Sometimes I speak out whether asked or not because it is my RIGHT as an American citizen.

 

The most important single issue for 2015 is Climate Change and the things that will make or break it: energy use, transportation, land use, and agriculture. If we lose on climate Change, nothing else will matter including health, education, reproductive rights, Internet neutrality, election reform, LGBT rights, women's rights, world peace, financial reform, taxation, Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, endangered species, nutrition, infrastructure, space exploration, jobs, or anything else. We must stop the Keystone XL pipeline and the TPP and TAFTA "free" trade agreements. The environmental damage caused by the extraction, processing, and transport of Canadian tar sands oil and those transnational trade agreements is far worse than temporarily losing a compromise healthcare payment plan what is mistakenly called "Obamacare" (but actually written by the conservative Heritage Foundation in the 1980's).

 

We cannot let the fight for Obamacare, abortion, gun control, or any “people issues” undermine the more important fight against environmental threats that will physically hurt our nation for centuries to come. We may not see the worst damage for decades, but the decision point is NOW. Future Americans could witness sea level rise that will largely cover four states (Florida, Louisiana, Delaware, and Rhode Island), and our most productive farmland in the Southwest and Midwest will be replaced by desert if we fail to act now.

 

In response to Global Warming and other environmental problems, we need a massive World War II sized industrial effort to change our energy use from dependence on fossil fuels to renewable sources; our transportation to prioritize walking, biking, urban mass transit, and both intercity passenger and freight rail service powered by electricity rather than continued dependence on cars and trucks; sub-urban sprawl superseded by walkable, human-scaled, multi-use Smart Growth; and industrial factory farming replaced by organic farming. As a desirable secondary benefit, this will create lots of jobs, but the primary benefit is the creation of infrastructure to support cleaner and more sustainable energy use, transportation, and both urban and rural land use.

 

There is one thing that the Bush 2.0 Administration’s Iraq War taught us: our government and economy CAN spare an extra 200 to 300 billion dollars PER YEAR over and beyond regular expenditures even without getting any benefit and do so for a decade. This time we must invest that money into things that will help fight climate change by rebuilding our transportation and energy infrastructure into something that will sustain our economy without wrecking our environment. The American people will not be motivated by small plans that do not stir their imagination but will back BIG plans that benefit all of us.

 

Color? YES! Why yes indeed. Besides, we're flooding in Houston and we haven't had sunny skies in just about forever and ever.

 

Thankfully I don't worry about my home flooding. I live on the 5th story. If my home floods, I'll be looking for a great big boat with lots of animals inside of it.

 

Work is very busy. I am having to prioritize my time so I am not able to post as much as I once did. Who needs sleep?

Close quarters expert Harper Barron has manifested symptoms of belligerent behavior, perhaps due to an error in her programming or a faulty Hero Core. Reports from her teammates state that her enjoyment of fighting has lead to failures in completing missions, as she prioritizes violence over successfully capturing villains and protecting citizens.

 

Her current location is unknown, but anonymous witnesses have reported seeing her in the Gladiator Arena of planet Bolawoo III.

 

Further psychological examinations are necessary in order to accurately estimate how dangerous she is. She is equipped with a lightweight body armor and a Quaza-Powered Ram Gauntlet, engaging at a distance is strongly advised.

 

Great Mask of Intangibility by @galva_nize_

Gauntlet weapon inspired by @ems_mocs ' Tony Stone and Arcane's Atlas Gauntlets

Are animals really kept differently in organic farming?

 

The Federal Ministry and the EU assure us that the animals have more space, organic feed and exercise and that this is regularly checked by state-approved inspection bodies.

 

ChatGPT:

What is the truth about organic food?

 

The truth about organic food is that it is grown or raised without the use of synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, or hormones. Organic farming practices prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and the use of naturally derived or organic inputs.

 

Studies have shown that organic food may have higher levels of certain nutrients, such as antioxidants and certain vitamins, compared to conventionally grown counterparts. Organic farming also promotes environmental sustainability by reducing pollution, conserving water, and promoting wildlife habitat.

 

However, some studies have found only minor differences in nutrient content between organic and conventional foods. It is important to note that organic food is not necessarily healthier or safer than conventionally grown food, as both can be part of a healthy diet. The primary benefits of choosing organic food are the reduced exposure to synthetic pesticides and supporting more sustainable farming practices.

 

Additionally, it is important to note that organic certification standards can vary across countries, and there can still be some level of pesticide use in organic farming. Consumers should look for reputable organic certification labels to ensure their food meets specific organic standards.

 

Ultimately, the decision to choose organic food depends on personal values, preferences, and budget.

People love vintage cars, particularly those around a century old, because they represent a unique blend of historical significance, craftsmanship, and a raw, unfiltered driving experience. Unlike modern cars that prioritize efficiency and digital features, these older vehicles offer a tangible connection to the past, serving as rolling pieces of history that tell a story about their era. The appeal extends beyond simple aesthetics, encompassing a deeper appreciation for their mechanical nature, artistic design, and the nostalgia they evoke.

 

One of the most compelling reasons for their appeal is the historical significance they embody. A 100-year-old car, such as a Ford Model T from the 1920s, is more than just a vehicle; it's a testament to the birth of mass-produced personal transportation. These cars provide a tangible link to a different time, reflecting the design trends, technological limitations, and societal values of their era. Owning or even seeing one allows people to appreciate the vast progress in automotive engineering and to connect with the ingenuity of a bygone age. They are often seen as cultural artifacts that represent a period of major change and innovation.

 

Another key factor is the craftsmanship and unique design. The cars of the early 20th century were often built with a level of manual labor and attention to detail that is rare in today's automated production lines. Each car had its own character, with hand-formed body panels, intricate chrome work, and interiors made from genuine materials. The absence of modern safety and aerodynamic regulations allowed designers to create cars with bold, artistic, and often flamboyant aesthetics that stand in stark contrast to the standardized, streamlined designs of many contemporary cars. This unique, handcrafted quality makes each vintage car a work of art.

 

Finally, people are drawn to the pure, visceral driving experience. A vintage car from 100 years ago lacks all the electronic aids, power steering, and safety features we now take for granted. This means the driver has a direct, physical connection to the vehicle and the road. The experience is challenging and requires skill, from manually adjusting the timing and fuel mixture to wrestling with a non-synchromesh transmission. For enthusiasts, this hands-on engagement is deeply satisfying and provides a sense of accomplishment that is often missing from modern, technology-heavy vehicles. It’s a journey that is as much about the process of driving as it is about reaching a destination.

 

Note: This image is an AI image. The position indicated on the map is incorrect.

SPYDR47

 

ATHENA ISR Program. US Army

 

BIZJETS OF WAR - APR 07, 2024

 

Amid program delays and revamps, the first ATHENA jet started a series of test flights in early March 2024. Shortly afterwards, the director of the U.S. Army's ISR Task Force shared the first clear image of the Global 6500 jet, showcasing its large radome and SIGINT sensor suite. The ATHENA program is the bridging phase between the ARES and ARTEMIS platforms and the final HADES jets and will consist of four Global 6500 bizjets with radome and SIGINT capabilities. Delays and supply-chain issues led to a restructuring of the program, but initial flight tests are now well underway ahead of delivery later this year.

 

The Army Theater-level High-altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ATHENA) program is the bridging phase between the contractor-owned and operated ARES and ARTEMIS jets, which are already flying operational missions, and the final HADES platform

 

When the ATHENA contracts for the four modified Global 6500s were awarded to the MAG Aerospace-L3Harris team and SNC, the program was structured into two components: ATHENA-R and ATHENA-S. The first phase, ATHENA-R (Radar) was planned to house a DoD-provided radar system and a SIGINT suite. Delivery to the U.S. Army was set for January 2024, but supply chain and program issues have resulted in delays. In parallel, the U.S. Army assessed that both ATHENA variants require both SIGINT and radar capabilities, leading to the service dropping the ‘-S’ and ‘-R’ variants and no longer prioritizing the delivery of one ‘variant’ over the other.

 

The first ATHENA jet will be deployed to South Korea, joining ARES deployed to Japan and several other COCO ISR bizjets in the region. While the specific deployment areas of the other ATHENA jets are unknown, two airframes will presumably be deployed to the Indo-Pacific theatre and the other two to Europe.

 

Besides the clear threats, the assumption that ATHENA will join the ARTEMIS jets in Europe is also based on an announcement from last year that stated ATHENA-S will ‘‘support U.S. Army missions in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.’’ However, the program revamps and the ever-changing ISR needs of the U.S. military may have changed those plans or will do so in the future.

_________________________________________

 

Also:

 

MAG Aerospace and L3Harris team to deliver the US Army Theater-Level, High-Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne (ATHENA-R) ISR aircraft.

 

Press Release, Fairfax VA, 22 August 2023: The US Army awarded prime contractor MAG Aerospace and teaming partner L3Harris Technologies a contract to deliver two enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to support the Army’s Theater-Level, High-Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR-Radar Program – known as ATHENA-R.

 

Integrated on Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft, the system will help the Army meet global intelligence requirements. Operating at high altitude will provide the aircraft greater survivability and line-of-sight, both essential to help the Army achieve its long-range precision fires modernization priorities.

 

MAG Aerospace is currently the prime contractor for the Army’s Sensor Technology Operations and Readiness (STORM) contract. Being deeply embedded in these critical capabilities is core to MAG’s mission of making the world smaller and safer.

 

“MAG is honoured to support the Army’s ATHENA-R Program. Current geopolitical circumstances dictate a need for an adaptable and resolute ISR solution that can adequately address near-peer threats and future contested environments, and we are prepared to execute,” said Joseph Reale, CEO, MAG Aerospace. “MAG has an exceptional performance history of delivering and managing extensive turnkey aerial C5ISR programs in the most austere and challenging operational environments worldwide. This award is validation of the relentless work our employees execute everyday alongside our customers.”

 

Designed to close the gap between the Army’s medium and high-altitude ISR aircraft fleet, the ATHENA-R Program will provide greater endurance, more payload capacity, longer standoff ranges and leading-edge sensor technology in support of US combatant commands.

 

“We have a great track record of working with the Army,” said Jon Rambeau, President, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris. “Our team understands the urgency of fielding these long-range, deep-sensing capabilities to support the Army’s mission needs and is positioned to deliver.”

 

Besides winning a contract in September 2022 to develop Phase 2 of the Army’s Multi-Domain Sensing System program, L3Harris supports an additional Army ISR mission: the Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare aircraft known as ARES.

After a 5 year hiatus, the recent return to service of Conway Scenic Railroad's beefy 0-6-0 #7470 once again allowed the Mass. Bay Railroad Enthusiasts (MBRRE) to run their "Steam in the Snow" excursion on January 4th. Until 2015, this excursion had been a regular, annual event, run on the first weekend of each new year, but the expiration of the engine's Form 4 had left New England's rail fans a bit steam-starved for several years. In the summer of 2019, the railroad's new management prioritized the completion of an FRA 1,472 Service Day Inspection, allowing the locomotive to return to service for special events, including this excursion.

 

The 7470 was built in 1921 by Canada's Grand Trunk Railway, which later became part of the Canadian National System. She's an 87-ton, 0-6-0, coal-burning switcher with 36,700 lbs of tractive effort. She was acquired from Canada in 1968 by Dwight Smith, the founder of the Conway Scenic Railroad, and has been there ever since. Because she was built for yard service and never intended as a road engine, she does have limited range, mainly due to water usage. Since her recent return to service, the Conway Scenic folks have also rehabbed a tank car for use as an auxiliary water car, and on all of her recent trips beyond Bartlett, she's been using that car as a water bottle. In this photo, we see the 7470 with her water car, making the short run from the roundhouse to the platform area, where she'll shortly tie-on to her passenger train and bring smiles to New England steam fans once again.

Location: Nelson and Murdock, Attorneys At Law: September 29th, 2018 9:15 PM

 

Matt: Hello there, my name’s Mathew Murdock. How may I help you?

 

Spider-Man: Hello, Mr. Murdock. I’m Spider-Man, and I have been framed for breaking and entering into Oscorp.

 

Matt: Oh, I heard about that. My law partner and secretary were discussing that earlier today. Now, I believe you but obviously I’m not the one you need to prove this to. Now, I’ll accept this case, and since you’re a kid I’ll let this be pro bono.

 

Spider-Man: What?! I don’t know what you’re talking about.

 

Matt: Don’t bullshit me, Kid. I may be blind, but I’m not that blind. Regardless of that, let’s start off with the basic stuff. I know Osborn’s side of the story but what’s yours?

 

Spider-Man: Well, Norman Osborn hired dangerous men that harmed others for the purpose of getting my blood for his son, because his son needs a cure for a rare disease. When I learned of this, I made a deal for him to get my blood for the cure, but after that he would have to turn himself in for his crimes. Then he set me up to make it look like I broke into Oscorp…

 

Matt: Okay… That’s a lot to take in, kid. I’ll see what I can do. So do you have any proof that you were welcomed into the place?

 

Spider-Man: Uh, not exactly.

 

Matt sighed and pinched the middle of his nose, I could sense his disappointment…

 

Matt: Alright kid, if you can’t get me proof I can set up a counter claim against Osborn. Now, however you do it…. Well I don’t have to know that part, but I doubt you’ll do anything that would harm anyone to get that evidence. You are a hero after all.

 

Spider-Man: You...You think I’m a hero?

Matt: Well kid, you’d be surprised how many people in NY, especially in Hell’s Kitchen, that look up to you and love you. That Jameson dude can say what he wants to say, print what he wants to print, but at the end of the day you still look out for the little guy. And I respect that. Keep up the good work, kid.

 

Spider-Man: Thanks, you don’t know how much I appreciate that. I’ll be back with that proof.

 

Matt: I know you will, Kid. Bye.

 

I left the law firm and stayed the night at Harry’s house, though it was hard to sleep, and I guess you could say I’m a little paranoid after what happened.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

Location: Oscorp Industries: October 20th, 2018 11:45 AM

  

Otto: Alright, so Peter, we’re gonna have to shift gears from the arm project. We’ve been commissioned to make a device for the military, meant for faster travel. They gave us a blueprint to base it off of, and all we are tasked to do is build and test.

 

He held up the documented designs and it looked like something from the future. Sorta like a weird hoverboard or something.

 

Peter: Don’t you think this is a little out of our wheelhouse? Special prosthesis’, we can do that. Tony Stark or Reed Richards type stuff, I don’t know… I just don’t think I could do something like this.

 

Otto: Peter, you sell yourself short. You are one of the brightest minds I know, and at such a young age I know your intellect will only expand as the years go by. Plus, we’ll be getting help from someone who knows a thing or two about aerodynamics. Adrian Toombs is very knowledgeable when it comes to things that fly and he’ll be joining us later when we get to the testing phase.

 

Peter: Heh, thanks Doc. Hey uh, I know this is random, but does Oscorp have servers that store stuff from the camera feed?

 

Otto gave me a quizzical gaze and let out a slight, “Yeah why?” He continued on to say, “It has a 24/7 camera log of what goes on around here. It’s all the way in the basement and if you are looking for anything that goes on in here, you’ll find it there.”

 

Peter: Oh, interesting. Uh sorry for going off topic, let’s get a roll on making this flight thing.

 

Doc and I studied the mock up design the military made and discussed ways to innovate it. Man, Doc has so many great ideas and if any man was to lead the world into a glorious new age it would be Otto. Any man willing and wanting to change the world by inventing this for the better, is a man I’m willing to follow to the end of the line. After hours of work and a few mini prototypes later, it was night. I guess time flies when you’re helping the world. I started to get my stuff ready to go, but then Doc handed me a flashdrive and I was confused.

  

Peter: What’s this?

 

Otto smiled at me as he said, “Just when you get the chance, give it a look. Especially the last schematic, you’re definitely gonna need it.”

 

Peter: Uh thanks, Doc. I’ll see you next time.

 

Otto; See you later, Peter. Have a good rest of your night.

 

I left the lab and headed back home to plug in the drive, and upon seeing it I gained the biggest grin. It was a complete floor to floor layout of the whole Oscorp building. Which means I can easily access that area without going in blind. I skipped through the files then I found something that made me go pale… There was a schematic with a Stealth Spider-Man suit. And a note attached… It stated, “Peter Parker, Spider-Man. Who would’ve thought? I mean when you think about it, it’s obvious. A person who wants to make the world a better place, even if it’s a little at a time. I don’t believe what the news says, I know you’re not a bad kid, so if you are doing what I think you’re doing then you need to be prepared. Red and blue are nice looking but I wouldn’t call it inconspicuous so I quickly designed a more stealthy suit. If you need the materials to make it then head to the lab and there’s some stuff you can use. Just don’t do it at Oscorp, it’s too risky. Good luck, Peter.” - Your mentor, Otto Octavius.

 

Peter: Otto....Bless you. Heh, time to get to work.

 

I made the stealth suit. It was all black with goggles with shutters similar to the ones on my original costume. But before I could head out to Oscorp, I had one more thing to do. Tutor Flash Thompson.

 

Flash came into my house and looked around, seemingly impressed by…. Something.

 

Flash: Not a bad place for a little dipshit like you, Parker. A little old fashioned but still not bad.

 

Peter: Remember, let’s keep the name calling to a minimum. Anyways, what work do you have to do?

 

Flash: Something about cells.

 

Peter: Oh, this should be easy. You see there are a couple of main cells. B and T cells. They produce antibodies and-

 

An alert on my phone buzzes, a crime downtown is in progress. I look over, squinting with irritation that I can’t do anything. I guess Flash noticed because he started to snap in front of my face.

 

Flash: Yo, Earth to Parker! You good man? You seem off.

 

I hesitated before looking at Flash, then I finally nodded.

 

Peter: Sorry, just…There’s some things I need to do. And I can’t because well, I just can’t. Look it’s nothing of importance nor is it anything you’d understand.

 

Flash: Heh, if it’s some nerd science shit of course I’m not gonna get it, but I do get that sometimes you have to prioritize. Like as much I love football, I can do anything in it if my grades are ass. So I go to you for help, it’s just knowing what’s more important and what should come first. Whatever it is, if it’s something you need to do then do it, Pete. I can always wait to do this homework so go ahead and get your stuff done.

 

I was…. Shocked. Flash Thompson, helped me and gave me decent advice. Though that might be because I’m helping him with school… Or maybe I was wrong about him.

 

Peter: Thanks, Flash. I needed that, I have to go. I promise we will continue the tutoring session tomorrow.

 

Flash: Whatever you say dork.

 

I left swinging off to stop a crime in progress. Now, should I, a now wanted criminal, be actively out in the open. No, hell no. But when you have a duty, a responsibility, you should always uphold it and stick to it. Because though you might have to sacrifice some things, at least you stay true to who you are and- WAIT WHAT IS THAT?! My Spider Sense started blaring as I noticed an enormous man in a rhino costume.

 

I catch up to the police tailing the rhino guy, and I talk to one of the officers.

 

Spider-Man: Hey, need any help here?

 

Cop: What the- Spider-Man? Aren’t you a criminal?

 

Spider-Man: So they say, they also call me a menace, nuisance, and a plethora of other things J. Jonah likes to brand me as. So uh, you just sit back and I handle the Chuck E. Cheese reject.

 

Cop: Why would you want to help us if you’re wanted?

 

Spider-Man: Hm, dunno. I TOTALLY wasn’t doing this before or something. I’m glad you asked though, because your fellow officers didn’t when they decided to go all “guns a blazing” on me the other day. Anyways, gotta go deal with Mr. Rocksteady over there. Peace!

 

I swung further down to catch up to that rhino guy and I zipped onto his back, holding on for dear life.

 

Spider-Man: Hey, what’s shakin’ bacon?

 

Rhino: What? Who are you, and what type stupid American phrasing is that?

 

Spider-Man: Huh, did not expect the giant rhino man to be Russian. Interesting to say the least. Anyways big boy, I’m here to turn you in….Or at least attempt to.

 

Rhino: NOTHING CAN CONTAIN THE RHINO!

 

So, Newton once said that, “If a body is at rest or moving at a constant speed in a straight line, it will remain at rest or keep moving in a straight line at constant speed unless it is acted upon by a force.” His first law of motion, so let’s think of the Rhino as this thing that’s at a consistent speed. If that is the case, then it’s time for me to be the force that acts upon him.

 

That’s when I see it, a construction site two blocks down. Bingo. Direct Rhino to the site, throw him in a pit, and fill it with cement. Time to get to work. When he approached the construction site, I used my webs to pull him over there, though there was some resistance on his part. I overcame the big lug and trapped him in a pit that was soon to be filled with cement. And in no time, the Rhino was put to an astounding halt, thanks to the one and only Spider-Man!

 

But that’s when I hear it… “Put your hands up!” Son of a- Of course, the one thing I forgot. The police. I put my hands up, slowly turn around then see several cop cars. Right as they’re getting ready to turn me in, one of them says, “Stop! Don’t you see, he helped us!” It was that one I talked to, huh I would’ve never guessed. He started to talk down the others, convincing them to chill out and I walked up to them.

 

Spider-Man: Uh thanks for vouching for me… Not too many people do that for me.

 

Cop: No problem, but Captain Stacy is probably gonna have my head for this one. Look, I know you’re not some maniac they say you are, hell a lot of people don’t think that. Especially at the precinct. I owe you, more than you’ll ever know.

 

Spider-Man: For what? The Russian Rhino over here? I take guys like him out like every other week. It’s nothing special.

 

Cop: No it’s not that… You saved my life, my wife and son’s lives. My name is Jefferson Davis, you might not remember me but a few weeks back you saved our lives when Shocker attacked that bridge. That’s something that I’ll eternally be grateful for. I can’t necessarily pay you back in that way, but I can help when you need info on a criminal or something. Here’s my information.

 

He took out a notepad from his cruiser and wrote down a number to call and handed it to me.

 

Spider-Man: I don’t really do this looking for something in return, I’m not looking for rewards or anything I just-

 

Jefferson: Then that’s fine, but if you do need help just call.

 

I look at the note, then back at Jefferson. I try not to ask for anything, but Uncle Ben always said, “Everybody needs help sometimes.” Ben was right, I don’t have to always do things alone. So it wouldn’t hurt to have a little help here and there.

 

Spider-Man: Thanks, Jefferson. And also, you don’t owe me anything, you never did.

 

I swing off and wait at my home until it is night. I put on my new stealth suit and head out to Oscorp. Let’s go prove my innocence! Anyways, I get to Oscorp and use Doc’s schematics to navigate the Oscorp ventilation system. Weird, the vents are sorta warm like someone’s used them before…Very peculiar. Regardless of that, I get to the server room, then my Spider-Sense starts acting up again.

 

Spider-Man: Um, who’s there?

 

Really Pete? If anyone is here, you ruined your element of surprise…

 

???: So we’ve got a new thief in the biz, whatcha call yourself?

 

Spider-Man: Correction, not a thief, though my getup doesn’t really help my case. Look usually I’d turn in guys like you but right now I need to just take something from here.

 

???: So…You’re stealing? I get you’re new to this whole thing but usually you describe what you’re doing to anyone, or talk to anyone.

 

Spider-Man: But you’re literally going against your own rules.

 

???: Ok, yeah yeah but I like to watch newbies struggle at the job. It’s pretty entertaining, so what brings you here newbie?

 

I roll my eyes, though I doubt he saw, and I go over to a section that has all the camera feeds and connect a hard drive. I let the info get transferred and take out the drive before waving it in front of the purple and green thief.

 

Spider-Man: This. The key to my innocence. And the name’s Spider-Man.

 

???: Bullshit…

 

I hop onto the ceiling and use my webs to descend back down to the thief.

 

Spider-Man: I’m the real deal, now who the hell are you?

 

Prowler: The name’s Prowler! The best thief no one’s heard about.

 

The End

__________________________________________________________________________________

A familiar sight/sound for over 20 years, Cummins 6BT-powered Dennis Darts are now on the verge of total extinction in the West of Scotland, with the number of operators still operating them now down to a mere three, these being Coakley's of Motherwell, First Glasgow & Avondale of Clydebank, the collective number of buses across all 3 operators numbering less than 10. All are on borrowed time pending the arrival of more modern replacements.

 

One of the last 6BT-powered Darts to arrive in the area is Avondale's ex-Go Ahead London General Pointer Y987 TGH (ex-LDP187) in the latter half of 2014, joining several batchmates that had arrived at least 2 years prior.

 

Fast forward to early 2018, with all it's sister buses withdrawn & having gained a front-end repaint in common with the numerous East Lancs Darts in the fleet in late 2017, 987 now stands as the only 6BT-powered vehicle left in service with the company; also outlasting NK51-reg ex-Go North East examples fitted with the same engine type. Given Avondale's usual bus-buying methods (sporadic & from multiple sources), there's no way of telling exactly how long it'll last. Given that it's now a non-standard machine, it's replacement will likely be prioritized.

 

Caught turning onto Argyll Rd with a 200 from Drumchapel to Linnvale, a primary haunt for it & it's now withdrawn sisters.

 

Photo Date: 26th March 2018

Although at first glance you would be forgiven for thinking that this loco is at the end of the line and awaiting the chop. The good news is that it is in fact on the comeback trail with Railway Support Services. Having been at Tyseley for over a year, the Gronk has been moved back to Wishaw to allow for its overhaul and repaint to be completed. At the time of writing, the plan was for this shunter to be the next to receive major attention once 08516 engine repairs are complete and the loco moved back to Briston Barton Hill. This is as ever subject to other members of the RSS active fleet needing unexpected attention in which they would likely be prioritized.

 

The loco itself was completed at BR Crewe Works way back in the spring of 1959, its first identity being D3735. Its first allocated shed was St Margaret’s in Edinburgh and has spent its whole BR career in Scotland. 08568 having called Inverness, Aberdeen and Motherwell all home at some point or another. During its privatised career, the loco has been based at Glasgow works for many years and with it had several different owners as the plant changed hands.

 

During its Alstom ownership, it was overhauled, along with other Glasgow works resident 08730 (which coincidentally is now owned by RSS and is visible in at least one of these shots) in the early 2000’s and released in an attractive two-tone grey with red sole bar, buffer beams and finished off with a blue roof and the name ‘St Rollox’ in yellow on the battery boxes. 08730 received the name ‘The Caley’.

 

In June 2020, after experiencing a devastating spring due to COVID, New York State announced that certain businesses could begin partially opening again. New York City’s response included a program called Open Restaurants, which allowed restaurants to use sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor, socially distant dining. Owners quickly built temporary enclosures in the streets in front of their businesses to try and recover from months of shutdown. Small stretches of Brooklyn in early 2021 displayed the variety and feel of these enclosures. Hopefully, the Open Restaurants initiative will help these businesses to survive and may even lead to a more permanent reorienting of streets to prioritize people over cars.

In June 2020, after experiencing a devastating spring due to COVID, New York State announced that certain businesses could begin partially opening again. New York City’s response included a program called Open Restaurants, which allowed restaurants to use sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor, socially distant dining. Owners quickly built temporary enclosures in the streets in front of their businesses to try and recover from months of shutdown. Small stretches of Brooklyn in early 2021 display the variety and feel of these enclosures. Hopefully, the Open Restaurants initiative will help these businesses to survive and may even lead to a more permanent reorienting of streets to prioritize people over cars.

Crap, crap, crap! " I think to myself, as the purple creature rampages across the lacrosse field towards Jessica. I need to be there. Distract the monster, or something. She's going to die, if I do nothing. But if I do, I run the risk of outing myself as a hero.. Am I really prioritizing my secret identity over her life? Really? This is a no brainer... My hands start to glow, ready to fire off a light bolt. It's then that one of the Somerset players extends her arms, hitting the creature square in the face. Others hit it with various projectiles, leading it away from Jessica. The creature looks really unphased by the attacks, and growls as it runs off towards Pine Grove Mall. When Nate's not looking, I leave the stands. Sorry bud. Jessica notices me running towards her and shakes her head. She points in the direction of the monster and mouths "I'll be fine.. Go get that thing before he hurts anyone else." Even though I can tell she's definitely not fine. But I just nod in response

 

Have to make a quick pit stop by my locker to get my costume, then I can go try and stop whatever that thing is. If only my costume could just project itself on me. That would make everything way easier. But unfortunately, that's not gonna happen. I use all the shortcuts I can to get to my locker. Minutes pass by and I finally get my costume, and follow the path of destruction.

 

Sure enough, the reptilian creature's at Pine Grove Mall causing oh so much property damage. Someone's fighting it. Dressed in a yellow and grey costume, with a golden visor. Definitely not someone I've ever seen before. I'm assuming he's a hero, but I can't say for certain just yet. Rock formations come spiking up from underneath the creature. The costumed hero sees me flying towards them, and gives me a peace sign. The creature manages to break out of the makeshift prison, and throws a car at the guy

 

"Sup?" He asks nonchalantly, as he creates a barrier in front of him. It's made of stone, and rock. I try making a crane construct, to pull the people out-of-the-way, but to no avail. Constructs still aren't working... Well that's a bust. Guess it's a good thing this guy prepared for it. Created a dome, so the car wouldn't fall on the civilians. Okay, yeah, he's a hero.

 

"Who are you?"

 

"I'd feel a little insulted if it weren't for the fact we're in Cardinal right now. The names Faultline, and don't you ever forget it bro!" He replies, giving me a thumbs up. Well that would explain his powers. But did he seriously just call me bro?

 

"Right... Well, it's nice to meet you Fautline. What brings you to Cardinal anyway? Also, do you have any bright ideas as to how to take this creature down? I'm open to suggestions, since this seems to have barely any effect on it." I repeatedly fire off light bolts, hoping to at least slow it down a little. Even going as far as to increase the intensity of the bolts. But the burn marks left by the bolts are quickly healed over. Safe to assume it has some sort of healing factor. Great... Faultline even summons a big boulder, and throws it at the creature.. Unfortunately for us, he catches it. It almost looks like it's grinning, before it throws it towards a crowd of people. I'm quick to blast the boulder quickly with multiple light beams, before Faultline recalls what remains of the boulder.

 

"Awh man, he caught my finisher.." He groans, almost under his breath before continuing. "Oh, I just happened to be in the neighbourhood watching a lacrosse game. Gotta show school spirit, and support the local team, ya know? Wait, why are you asking me for ideas? This isn't one of yours?" So he's from Somerset Academy? How convenient. Not everyday you'll see a Sunrise City hero over here.

 

"Nope! First time I've seen it!" Well, not quite the first time, but he doesn't need to know about mystical liquids, and everything else.

 

"Uhm, maybe we lure it to a nearby river or something? Maybe it can't swim?" He suggests with a shrug.

 

"Actually... That's not that bad of an idea... It looks like some sort of reptile. Reptiles and cold water don't mix.. At least, that's what school keeps telling me."

 

"Smart! You heard the guy! Hey ugly! Come and get me!" Faultline yells, as the debris on the ground rises up, and flies towards the creature. It's more of an annoyance than actually hurting it, but it's enough to lure it into following us. Along the way, Faultline works as crowd control, moving people out-of-the-way, along with hitting the creature with whatever he's got. As for me, I keep blasting it with low intensity light blasts. We manage to avoid the oncoming cars, and other bits of landscape that the reptile decides to throw at us.

 

It isn't long, before we reach Northbay Wharf, over in the Ashen Coast district. Helps that we keep provoking the reptile into running faster after us. I lower myself just slightly, just as we near the end of the pier. Using myself as bait.. Easily one of my worst ideas. Sure enough, the monstrous reptile takes the bait, tackling me into the deep blue waters of the bay. The creature shows its dominance by punching, and kicking me repeatedly. My powers are pretty much useless here in the water, so I'm left to try to swim away. Yep, absolutely terrible idea. Instantly regret it. Thankfully the reptile slows down with its punches, enough for me to avoid it rather easily. It keeps fighting to get up, but keeps struggling. It isn't long before it stops fighting entirely, and falls unconscious, its form switching into one more humanoid. At this point, Faultline scoops him up, as I swim to shore. Holy crap, it actually worked. I can't believe that actually worked.

Destiny

 

All my life, I am a missionary. I reach

out to the common tao, prioritize their needs

over mine. This is my destiny.

Amen.

 

/totomai

Yet another domestic clone of Soviet technology, the M-240 German is the Yugoslav rendition of the 2S4 Tyulpan heavy mortar system. The German--named after the Balkan spirit associated with rain and hail--sports a 240mm mortar, presently the largest caliber associated with any mortar system in active service. Many in the West have ridiculed the fact that Yugoslavia continues to employ such cumbersome weapons given the transition to light, mobile strike forces; however, the JNA is more than pleased to keep the German around given it allows for a lot of firepower to be put downrange with very few munitions actually needing to be fired. Indeed a battery of four M-240s can do as much work as twelve M-122 Bies. It should be noted, however, that the M-240 can only fire one round every minute (further automation by the JNA has actually decreased the time to 50 seconds, but we won't get caught up in pedantry here); therefore, the units are fired sparingly in symmetric operations in order to decrease the chances of counter-battery fire suppressing or eliminating them.

 

During the Wars of Dissolution in the 1990s, many M-240s were utilized by ultranationalist factions as modern siege weapons or simply as instruments of cultural destruction. The warring parties would often target whole market places or sites of piety and level them with one or two rounds after sacking them. Additionally, the relatively small size of the mortar system meant it could be hidden quite easily from the deadly eyes of NATO bombers; hence, it was quite common to find M-240s abandoned in mundane maintenance garages or somewhere similar once Belgrade was able to consolidate and quash the numerous secessionist parties. Following the conclusion of these bloody conflicts, it was easy for state inspectors to discern what weapon system caused such extensive damage to ancient towns and national infrastructure as the signature of 240mm of high explosives is quite unique.

 

It is rumored that several M-240s have made it into the hands of the Black Cross units in Ukraine. Several city blocks in Odessa feature the same sort of damage and blast marks created in the aforementioned Yugoslav towns, so the rumors are likely true despite the OSCE not having direct eyes on the weapon systems. In point of fact, the OSCE has lobbied for NATO to prioritize finding and eliminating any potential M-240s in Black Cross possession in order to minimize the indiscriminate damage being sustained by sites of historical import in Ukraine and elsewhere.

In June 2020, after experiencing a devastating spring due to COVID, New York State announced that certain businesses could begin partially opening again. New York City’s response included a program called Open Restaurants, which allowed restaurants to use sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor, socially distant dining. Owners quickly built temporary enclosures in the streets in front of their businesses to try and recover from months of shutdown. Small stretches of Brooklyn in early 2021 display the variety and feel of these enclosures. Hopefully, the Open Restaurants initiative will help these businesses to survive and may even lead to a more permanent reorienting of streets to prioritize people over cars.

I am at last happy to announce to you all my LEGO A-4E Skyhawk MOC – in John S. McCain III’s livery. If anyone reading has been following me for a long time – first off, I thank you sincerely for your support – some may remember the A-4E I built quite some time ago now, also in John McCain’s livery. This one is pretty much a ground up rebuild of my initial Skyhawk and is for the most part entirely a novel design.

The model itself, in terms of features, has retractable landing gear, space for a minifigure in the cockpit (BARELY), and deployable airbrakes. Due to the construction of the wing and the standards I wanted to prioritize for looks, I did not incorporate working flaps or leading edge slats like I had initially planned. However, like I said, my priority if in doubt was nailing the look and accuracy of the model on display – and I feel I have approximated that to the best of my current abilities… though I know I can always improve! Let me know your thoughts though!

 

The police showed up, and with that came questions. Questions that the twins weren't necessarily prepared to answer. Gretel lied, and said that they were just watching a movie. Hansel, on the other hand, stayed silent. Upon pushing further, they would learn the truth as Hansel wasn't as good a liar as Gretel was. He would tell them of the body that was dragged into the woods, and the rifle that was used. He covered up the fact Gretel was the one to shoot the man however, and said it was all his idea, as he was tired of the man abusing them. Gretel didn't want Hansel to go away for her actions, so she would later admit to killing the man. As they weren't sure which of the kids to believed, they were both brought in to juvenile court.

----------------------

The bullet soars through the air, but of course, there's a forcefield protecting Big Time. The crowd goes into a panic, and the Archon team works on evacuating the building. It's then, that the ground starts to shake beneath them.

 

"I'll go after the sniper. After all, it's me they want dead. They're really going to regret this." Big Time says, as she locomotive jumps towards the building. Within a few jumps, she's almost within range. Disassembling the sniper rifle, I pull out my signature rifle, the one I used for my very first kill all those years ago. Loading it with bean bag rounds, I get ready for the fight ahead. Almost a minute later, Big Time smashes through the window.

 

"I'm not sure what your beef is with me, or who hired you. Either way, bring it on." She taunts, as Hansel shoots a smoke arrow, allowing for me to get a bean bag shot at her ribcage. Stumbling back, she uses her grappling gun to yank the rifle from my hands, before throwing it across the room. Pulling out a baton from her back holster, she runs towards Hansel, nimbly avoiding each shot he takes. They exchanges blows, with various punches and kicks mixed together. As I reach for my gun, Big Time throws her baton at my hand, before rolling over to the stove. Grabbing a frying pan, she hits Hansel in the back. Hansel grunts in pain, but he's able to grab her cape, and throw her into the kitchen table, it breaking upon impact. This doesn't too to much to dissuade her though, as she gets up rather quickly, throwing discs, which explode right in front of me. Such a confined space, it's hard to effectively use our trademarked weapons.

 

"Really, this is nothing personal. Strictly business. Or maybe it is a little personal too." My brother coughs, as he regains his composure. I try tackling her, but she simply sidesteps out of the way, and as I fall down, she drops a pellet, which encases the lower half of my body in ice. Hansel quickly shoots a fire arrow, which melts it rather fast. It already feels like this fight has dragged on for hours, even though it's maybe been a couple of minute, as all of us are sweating profusely. My ears start ringing, as a flashbang goes off.

 

"Just give up already!" She yells, her voice echoing in my ears.

 

"Ow, ow, ow!" I groan, as she keeps on pummeling me. But it's moments later, that it all stops. Once my vision finally clears, there she was, Big Time, shot through the heart, a pool of blood, forming on the ground. I look to my brother, and he, of course, has his bow drawn.

 

"Yeah, I know we were supposed to bring her in alive. One wrong blow, and you would've been crippled for life, or dead. I'm sorry, but I'll always prioritize you and your health over this job sis. I'm supposed to be the one to protect you after all, I'm older."

 

"By like a minute, so it hardly even counts!"

 

"A minute's still a minute!" Hansel says with a laugh, as he starts packing up our gear.

 

"Guess this means we aren't getting paid." I say with a frown, as we leave the crime scene.

 

"Well, there's always next time!" My brother says, trying to cheer me up, but I can blatantly see that he's worried.

 

"Yeah.. We better get going." I say, slinging the bag over my shoulder.

 

"Agreed." Hansel nods, and with that, we leave.

In June 2020, after experiencing a devastating spring due to COVID, New York State announced that certain businesses could begin partially opening again. New York City’s response included a program called Open Restaurants, which allowed restaurants to use sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor, socially distant dining. Owners quickly built temporary enclosures in the streets in front of their businesses to try and recover from months of shutdown. Small stretches of Brooklyn in early 2021 display the variety and feel of these enclosures. Hopefully, the Open Restaurants initiative will help these businesses to survive and may even lead to a more permanent reorienting of streets to prioritize people over cars.

SBB LRZ - 1

  

Here’s my rendition of a single unit of SBB’s firefighting train.

 

Given the time constraints of the challenge, I knew that I would only be able to complete one unit of the LRZ consist. Therefore, I chose the largest unit with a water cannon. I would need the space to house, the battery/receiver, pump, water tank, drive motor, and cannon rotation mechanism. I began the design in LDD and quickly drafted the frame, cab and container. This gave me a rough idea of the space I had to work with. I tried to position the pump motor as low as possible to allow for the maximum amount of height for the cylinder. Since there was only one option for the drive motor placement and cabin space was already limited, the placement of the cannon rotation mechanism and drive motor had to be placed in the container. Due to the vertical distances between the cannon rotation motor and cabin, I opted to use a pulley system because the string could be guided through a series of holes to account for the vertical displacement.

 

When I eventually started building the model IRL, I encountered some unexpected setbacks; namely two parts I had used did not exist in the colors I had used in LDD. This required some time to redesign. In addition to a bricklink kerfuffle, I had lost valuable time to complete the model. I prioritized functionality over aesthetics and realism.

  

Information:

company.sbb.ch/en/the-company/responsibility-society-envi...

Brendan received a smartphone for his 18th birthday. He is now officially what I call a "cellphone zombie" as he walks a little slower, pays a lot less attention to the real world and generally prioritizes his phone over most ordinary tasks.

23250 McKay Avenue

Maple Ridge, BC Canada

 

A Harbour Authority (HA) is a non-profit, locally controlled organization which operates under a head lease with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to operate and maintain a DFO-owned public commercial fishing harbour in the best interests of the commercial fishing fleet.

 

The harbour facility consists entirely of the property and water lots under the ownership of DFO – Small Craft Harbours (SCH).

 

An HA must operate the harbour as a public facility in accordance with the terms of the head lease and must at all times prioritize the needs of the commercial fishing industry above all else

 

Image best viewed in large screen.

 

Thank-you for your visit, and any comments or faves are always very much appreciated! ~Sonja.

Rodeo Beach - Marin headlands, california

I had plans on taking care of a few things and finish up some planing for a day trip up the north coast, but as I moved closer to San Francisco, I could see that there was some very interesting weather happening out in the Marin County area. I ran through my list of things to do and managed to "re-prioritize" a few things so I could make it out for sunset. The clouds were high and thin over the Golden Gate Bridge, but it looked like there was a fog bank moving in on the coast. I figured that the fog bank would kill most of the light that would have made another GGB image unique, so I headed for Rodeo Beach.

 

Rodeo is a nice, convenient beach. It offers up some nice rocky foreground on the south end, and some high cliffs on the north end. With the tide on its way to the negative end of the scale, I decided to go back to a spot on the north end of the beach that I found last year around this time. Most of the time this rocky area of the beach is covered in water, but with this negative tide, it was exposed and looking perfect for a long exposure.

 

The sky was moving fast with patches of low clouds / fog, so a shorter exposure to capture / paint the waves just wouldn't work in my opinion. The sky looked flat, even more flat than seen here, so long exposure it was. After making two images from this spot (I burned a half hour on these two) I packed up my camera (yes..... this time I decided to not be so lazy) and moved to the south end of the beach.

 

View my stream on black here

 

Canon 5D Mark II

Exposure: 480

Aperture: f/16.0

Focal Length: 20 mm

ISO Speed: 50

Lens: 17-40 f/4L

B+W 10 stop solid ND

Lee hard edge GND .3 & .9

I'm terrified of trying to do a 365. With how many unfinished art projects lay around my house, day to day, I'm so nervous about only making it to 45 and punking out, prioritizing "other things."

 

But here it is: my bare honesty, my fear, my creative mind, and the proof that I can dedicate my mind and heart to something and complete it.

 

Please don't take offense to any illusion of nudity in this project; it's all artistic and intended to be tasteful. This concept was built off of the fear of exposure this kind of art represents to me.

 

This will be my heart, on paper. Here it goes.

Canadians are often known for several positive characteristics, including:

1.Politeness and Courtesy – They have a reputation for being polite, saying “sorry” often, and treating others with respect.

2.Friendliness – Canadians are generally warm and welcoming to both locals and visitors.

3.Diversity and Inclusivity – Canada is multicultural, and its people embrace diversity in ethnicity, culture, and perspectives.

4.Tolerance and Open-Mindedness – Canadians tend to value human rights, equality, and progressive social policies.

5.Community-Oriented – Many Canadians are involved in their communities and prioritize social well-being.

6.Love for Nature and the Outdoors – With stunning landscapes, Canadians often appreciate and respect nature, engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and skiing.

7.Sense of Humor – They have a dry, self-deprecating, and sometimes quirky sense of humor.

8.Humble and Modest – Canadians tend to downplay achievements and avoid arrogance.

9.Hardworking and Resourceful – Whether in cities or remote regions, Canadians have a strong work ethic.

10.Peacefulness – They are generally non-confrontational and support diplomacy over aggression.

 

Thanks ChatGPT (prompt: tell me about Canadians)!

The Kö-Bogen I and II projects in Düsseldorf, Germany, represent a major urban revitalization effort that has transformed a former elevated motorway and traffic hub into a modern, pedestrian-friendly city center. The projects were conceived as two distinct but interconnected architectural ensembles that re-establish the connection between the city's main shopping street, Königsallee, and the Hofgarten park. Both projects feature cutting-edge, sustainable design and have received international recognition for their innovative approach to urban planning and architecture. The overall goal was to create a new, vibrant public space that prioritizes pedestrians and greenery, while also housing high-end retail and office spaces.

 

Kö-Bogen I was the first phase of the project, completed in 2013, and was designed by the renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. The ensemble consists of two curved buildings, connected by a bridge, which sit on the site of the former elevated motorway. The buildings are characterized by their striking façade of white natural stone and glass, with diagonal incisions that are planted with greenery. These "cuts" are a signature element of Libeskind's design, creating a dynamic visual effect and providing additional shading. The complex houses luxury retail spaces and high-end offices, and its design was intended to create a seamless transition between the urban environment of Königsallee and the natural landscape of the Hofgarten.

 

Kö-Bogen II, completed in 2020, is perhaps the most iconic part of the development. Designed by Ingenhoven Architects, this commercial and office building ensemble features a spectacular and sustainable design element: Europe's largest green façade. The building is covered in more than 30,000 hornbeam hedges, a native hardwood species that retains its leaves in winter. This greening concept is not just for aesthetics; it plays a crucial role in improving the city's microclimate by absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing urban heat, dampening noise, and promoting biodiversity. The building's sloping facades, which are inspired by Land Art, face the Hofgarten and create a deliberate visual conversation with the neighboring post-war modernist landmarks like the Dreischeibenhaus and Schauspielhaus.

 

Together, the Kö-Bogen I and II projects have successfully redefined a key area of Düsseldorf's city center. By dismantling a 1960s motorway and replacing it with these architecturally significant and environmentally conscious buildings, the city has transformed a car-centric space into a vibrant, green, and walkable urban destination. The project as a whole has received numerous awards and is considered a lighthouse example of modern "city repair," demonstrating how cities can address climate change and urban design challenges through innovative, sustainable, and people-oriented architecture.

 

Canadians are often known for several positive characteristics, including:

1.Politeness and Courtesy – They have a reputation for being polite, saying “sorry” often, and treating others with respect.

2.Friendliness – Canadians are generally warm and welcoming to both locals and visitors.

3.Diversity and Inclusivity – Canada is multicultural, and its people embrace diversity in ethnicity, culture, and perspectives.

4.Tolerance and Open-Mindedness – Canadians tend to value human rights, equality, and progressive social policies.

5.Community-Oriented – Many Canadians are involved in their communities and prioritize social well-being.

6.Love for Nature and the Outdoors – With stunning landscapes, Canadians often appreciate and respect nature, engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and skiing.

7.Sense of Humor – They have a dry, self-deprecating, and sometimes quirky sense of humor.

8.Humble and Modest – Canadians tend to downplay achievements and avoid arrogance.

9.Hardworking and Resourceful – Whether in cities or remote regions, Canadians have a strong work ethic.

10.Peacefulness – They are generally non-confrontational and support diplomacy over aggression.

 

Thanks ChatGPT (prompt: tell me about Canadians)!

Work Culture

 

Some folks have wondered how staff at Culture Japan are treated so I thought I'd get this out there - if you know any of our employees then just get them drunk and ask them.

 

Previously as a people manager at Amazon, I drew a pie chart that my staff started to call "Danny's Pie" which if you say very fast could be made to sound like "Danny's Oppai."

 

The pie is divided into three - each piece is 8 hours. Presuming that you work 8 hours and sleep for 8 hours then you have 8 hours remaining which is one slice of the pie. I then start to cut up the remaining piece.

The 8 remaining hours is needed for things like personal hygiene, nourishment intake, health care (very important), cleaning, commuting and other chores which are important in life but generally don't contribute a whole lot to your career or personal development.

 

If you subtract the time needed for all the above from the final piece of the pie then all you would have left each day is 4-ish hours which you need to use on spending with friends/loved ones, entertainment/recreation and personal development - learning a new subject, beefing up current skills, researching etc.

This personal dev time is something I consider to be crucial to the development of an employee's life, career and well being.

 

Due to the nature of us still being in startup mode however, there may be some days where you need to chip in a few more hours than the regular to meet deadlines but usually, I would want you to go home early and do your own stuff so that you can be in razor sharp tip top shape the next day.

 

I think one of the reasons why we have been able to build our business to this stage with only a limited amount of resources is because we prioritize what can be done in the available time frame without expecting everybody to work up until the last train.

 

We constantly make sacrifices on the small stuff and prioritize resources to work on the bigger impacting stuff.

 

By the way - this photo of our booth was taken at the Wonfes in Feb 2014. If it looks familiar then its because its our office - we took all the furniture we could muster instead of blowing millions of yen on a few hour event.

 

View more at www.dannychoo.com/en/post/27195/Smart+Doll.html

By entering abandoned underground workings, the true hazard level can be evaluated to determine which sites should be prioritized for closure

201222-N-N0777-1002 PORTSMOUTH, Va. (Dec. 22, 2020) Hospitalman Naomi Ishou, from San Diego, assigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), fills a syringe with the new COVID-19 vaccine. Medical staff assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) were at NMCP to receive the first round of the vaccine. NMCP is supporting the fleet by providing the voluntary vaccination within the DoD phased approach to prioritizing mission-essential healthcare personnel in receiving the vaccine. GHWB is currently at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for its Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Novalee Manzella)

I never saw much practical use in there being three versions of Julie's basketball uniform. For years, I had the Hoops Outfit, the first rendition of them all. I got this on eBay around the time I bought Julie in 2014. It was actually cheaper than retail and was complete. By that point, it had already been retired for five years. I eventually wanted to get the second version for Ivy...that way both my girls could wear basketball outfits together. It took me a while to finally prioritize getting this one. It had also retired by the time I snagged it on eBay. I recall it was quite cheap, since it was missing the basketball (and I bought a few of Julie's outfits from the same seller, saving on shipping). This is my personal favorite of the three ensembles. It looks the most 70s to me--with the slit up the side of the shorts and the layout of the tank top. It reminds me of old movies I'd watch with my dad as a kid. I'm also partial to the funky yarn hair ties, which inspired the fringe earrings I made for this outfit. I like how these work on Julie or Ivy (I wasn't so sure how they'd be with Ivy's short bob). The Home Game Uniform is the current basketball outfit available. It was not something I cared about getting right away. In fact, it really only came onto my radar once I had picked off all of Julie's available fashions. Even then, it didn't interest me much. As you can see, it's virtually the same as her Hoops Outfit, but with flipped around colors. I actually prefer the color scheme of this one over the original. Normally I gravitate towards brighter colors. But I like the sharpness and contrast of the white tank top. Anyways, once I was given Jolene, my second Julie, I knew I HAD to get this. It's SO fun having three uniforms for my three girls. This is the only one I've gotten brand new--it was on a flash sale in 2023, and I had a rewards coupon too. This one is the simplest in terms of contents. The accessory set is sold separately...it doesn't even come with a headband. But that's alright, since I was able to style her hair in ponytails with my own elastics. The sweatband looks cute on the Hoops Outfit, but it can be a pain to get it to sit just right on AG wigs. I had fun designing special earrings to go with each of these looks. Needless to say, they cannot hold their basketball, let alone have an actual game. So the excessive bling I made for them is just fine...it's not like they will get it caught while playing!

 

Outfits in photo (from left to right):

-Julie's Hoops Outfit

-Julie's Basketball Uniform

-Julie's Home Game Uniform

Where the ocean meets the sky...

 

Thank you Flicker friends for over 15 years of shared images. Photography has meant much to me over the years, and sharing the images and experiences has been a rewarding pastime.

 

I am at a crossroads as to where to go at this point in time. I am letting go of the craft as I am having difficulties with my abilities to continue. Perhaps one day I will return, but for now it is time to prioritize other aspects of my life.

 

Thanks for being part of these enjoyable experiences.

 

Jim Cormier

Coney Island Beach

 

--

Haven't been on flickr in what feel likes months, life is busy right now, gotta prioritize!

 

I've had the chance to process some photos in the last few days, and also finally pushed out my blog, which needs lots of work.. But the important thing is that it's functional and I'm populating it with content.

 

I hope all is well with you guys, and I'll try to check your streams soon!

. . . Zeboran . . .

 

His heart, as vast as the ocean, knows no bounds in selfless sacrifice.

 

The depth of his extreme romance becomes the core, deepening her love each day.

 

" Your open spirit and prioritization of my feelings and happiness are truly adored. Thank you for being the constant warmth in my life... 💕"

Serving Looks & Vibes

 

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The Look:

 

Style References

 

Description Section:

 

Step into style with an effortlessly chic ensemble that beautifully combines comfort and sophistication. This look features a soft, fitted blue top with delicate spaghetti straps, perfectly hugging the curves while offering a relaxed vibe. Paired with high-waisted, shiny, taupe pants that accentuate the legs and create a sleek silhouette, this outfit radiates modern elegance. The ensemble is elevated with sparkling transparent heels adorned with rhinestones, adding just the right amount of glamour for any casual outing or get-together.

  

Behind the Look:

 

This outfit draws inspiration from contemporary fashion trends that prioritize both style and comfort. The light blue top, made from a soft, breathable fabric, ensures comfort throughout the day while maintaining a polished appearance. The shiny taupe pants, with their high-waisted design and flattering fit, provide a chic contrast that enhances the overall aesthetic. The transparent heels are a statement piece, offering a touch of glam without overwhelming the look, making it ideal for daytime events or evening outings.

 

Styling Tip:

 

To master the art of blending casual and glamorous elements, consider the following tips:

 

Color Palette: Stick to a cohesive color scheme, as seen here with the soft blue top harmonizing with the warm taupe pants. This not only ties the look together but also adds sophistication.

 

Proportions: Balance fitted tops with slightly looser bottoms or vice versa. The snug fit of the top paired with the fluidity of the shiny pants creates a flattering balance that highlights your figure.

 

Accessorizing: Choose minimalistic jewelry that enhances your outfit. Dainty gold or silver pieces, such as hoop earrings or stacked rings, can elevate the overall look without stealing the spotlight.

 

Hair & Makeup: For a polished appearance, consider soft waves or a sleek hairstyle to complement the outfit. Keep your makeup fresh and radiant—think glowing skin, a touch of blush, and a nude lip for an effortless, chic vibe.

A antique stereoview. No info on the back.

  

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (/ˈroʊzəvɛlt/ ROH-zə-velt;[b] October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or his initials T. R., was an American politician, statesman, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909. He previously served as the 25th vice president under William McKinley from March to September 1901, and as the 33rd governor of New York from 1899 to 1900. Having assumed the presidency after McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt emerged as a leader of the Republican Party and became a driving force for anti-trust and Progressive policies.

 

Roosevelt was a sickly child with debilitating asthma but partly overcame his health problems by embracing a strenuous lifestyle. He integrated his exuberant personality, a vast range of interests and achievements into a "cowboy" persona defined by robust masculinity. He was home-schooled and began a lifelong naturalist avocation before attending Harvard. His book The Naval War of 1812 (1882) established his reputation as a learned historian and popular writer. Upon entering politics, he became the leader of the reform faction of Republicans in New York's state legislature. His wife and mother both died in the same night and he was psychologically devastated. He recuperated by buying and operating a cattle ranch in the Dakotas. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President William McKinley and in 1898 helped plan the highly successful naval war against Spain. He resigned to help form and lead the Rough Riders, a unit that fought the Spanish army in Cuba to great publicity. Returning a war hero, he was elected governor of New York in 1898. The New York state party leadership disliked his ambitious agenda and convinced McKinley to make Roosevelt his running mate in the 1900 election. Roosevelt campaigned vigorously, and the McKinley–Roosevelt ticket won a landslide victory based on a platform of victory, peace and prosperity.

 

Roosevelt assumed the presidency at age 42 after McKinley was assassinated in September 1901. He remains the youngest person to become president of the United States. Roosevelt was a leader of the progressive movement and championed his "Square Deal" domestic policies, promising the average citizen fairness, breaking of trusts, regulation of railroads, and pure food and drugs. He prioritized conservation and established national parks, forests, and monuments intended to preserve the nation's natural resources. In foreign policy, he focused on Central America where he began construction of the Panama Canal. He expanded the Navy and sent the Great White Fleet on a world tour to project American naval power. His successful efforts to broker the end of the Russo-Japanese War won him the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize. Roosevelt was elected to a full term in 1904 and continued to promote progressive policies. He groomed his close friend William Howard Taft to succeed him in the 1908 presidential election.

 

Roosevelt grew frustrated with Taft's brand of conservatism and belatedly tried to win the 1912 Republican nomination for president. He failed, walked out, and founded the Progressive Party. He ran in the 1912 presidential election and the split allowed the Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson to win the election. Following the defeat, Roosevelt led a two-year expedition to the Amazon basin where he nearly died of tropical disease. During World War I, he criticized Wilson for keeping the country out of the war; his offer to lead volunteers to France was rejected. He considered running for president again in 1920, but his health continued to deteriorate. He died in 1919. He is generally ranked in polls of historians and political scientists as one of the five best presidents.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt

High Line volunteers Anne Heany spends an early morning hand watering drought-tolerant plants along the High Line an elevated railway line owned by the City of New York, today the High Line is a 1.45-mile-long linear public park maintained, operated, and programmed by Friends of the High Line, in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. High Line was opened in 1934 and moved goods to and from Manhattan’s largest industrial district until 1980. The third and final phase officially opened to the public on September 21, 2014. The High Line's green roof system with drip irrigation is designed to allow the planting beds to retain as much water as possible; because many of the plants are drought-tolerant, they need little supplemental watering. When supplemental watering is needed, hand watering is used so as to tailor the amount of water to the needs of individual species and weather conditions, and to conserve water. High Line is independently funded from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS). Urban forestry and green spaces are priority areas for USFS. With 80 percent* of the nation's population in urban areas, there are strong environmental, social, and economic cases to be made for the conservation of green spaces to guide growth and revitalize city centers and older suburbs. Urban forests broadly include urban parks, street trees, landscaped boulevards, public gardens, river and coastal promenades, greenways, river corridors, wetlands, nature preserves, natural areas, shelter belts of trees and working trees at industrial brownfield sites. Urban forests are dynamic ecosystems that provide needed environmental services by cleaning air and water helping to control storm water, and conserving energy. They add form, structure, beauty and breathing room to urban design, reduce noise, separate incompatible uses, provide places to recreate, strengthen social cohesion, leverage community revitalization, and add economic value to our communities. Urban forests, through planned connections of green spaces, form the green infrastructure system on which communities depend. Green infrastructure works at multiple scales from the neighborhood to the metro area up to the regional landscape. This natural life support system sustains clean air and water, biodiversity, habitat, nesting and travel corridors for wildlife, and connects people to nature. Urban forests, through planned connections of green spaces, form the green infrastructure system on which communities depend. Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) is a cooperative program of the US Forest Service that focuses on the stewardship of urban natural resources. UCF provides technical, financial, research and educational services to local government, non-profit organizations community groups, educational institutions, and tribal governments. The program is delivered through its legislative partners, the state forestry agencies in 59 states and US territories. Forest Service cooperative programs are currently being redesigned to make more effective use of federal resources. Programs will be focused on issues and landscapes of national importance and prioritized through state and regional assessments. Over the next five years an increasing percentage of funding will be focused on landscape scale projects. Three national themes provide a framework for this work: conserve working forest landscapes; protect forests from harm; and enhance benefits associated with trees and forests. More information and upcoming webinars on December 9, 2015 | 1:00pm-2:15pm ET; January 13, 2016 | 1:00pm-2:15pm ET; and February 10, 2016 | 1:00pm-2:15pm ET can be seen at *http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/program.shtml. USDA Photo By Lance Cheung.

There are so many places that you can visit in Jasper National Park (it is 4,200 square miles, after all) that it can be overwhelming to prioritize what to do next. Even places that are not on anyone's list have views to die for and you can imagine yourself taking it in for hours. Jeff Clow and I did a day trip from the town of Banff one day up the Icefields Parkway to visit the town of Jasper. That is a long day, but when you drive one of the most beautiful roads in the world, it doesn't seem that long. As we reached the outskirts of town, we noticed these colorful chairs at a roadside motel/hotel, but our stomachs were growling so we keep on going. After lunch and a quick stop at Pyramid Lake, we headed south to Banff. Remembering the chairs, we pulled into the parking lot to see the views from the chairs. Even though the weather had changed a bit to the worse, it was clear that the view was a million dollar one that we would have to visit on another day.

A couple years back I was hired by Andy and Fred of 'AFA' (pioneers of advanced noise cancellation technology).

 

These images were harder to produce than might appear. I knew I wanted to prioritize Andy and Fred, but also at the same time give a sense of speed and movement. Had I shot in traditional fashion then the shutter speed needed to produce motion blur of the cars would have been dangerously low to also introduce motion blur of Andy and Fred as well. So in order to successfully achieve this look I needed to shoot the images on a tripod and involve strobe work directed at the guys which assists with 'freezing motion' (as well as helping them 'pop out' of the scene). In addition to this I used ND filters to allow me to shoot at wide apertures to allow me to help separate them from the busy backdrop and keep attention placed firmly on them.

The additional benefits of using a tripod allowed me to take several images and blend speeding cars and smoke into any scene of the two of them that I liked.

Overall I think they turned out pretty good.

 

I am saddened to hear that since this shoot Fred has passed away (pictured on the right). He seemed like such a lovely man with a genuine gentle soul.

July 18, 2023 The Hill Live brings together caregivers, patients, clinical experts, and lawmakers to answer these questions and more as we discuss the fight against Alzheimer’s and breakthroughs in providing relief to those who suffer from agitation and aggression.

Alzheimer’s disease affects about 55 million people worldwide, including 6.5 million Americans, and has no cure. Some patients with Alzheimer’s sometimes show signs of extreme aggression or become restless and anxious as their brains lose the ability to negotiate with new stimulus.

 

Agitation is a common neuropsychiatric symptom in Alzheimer’s dementia and one of the most complex and stressful aspects of caring for people living with the condition. It is reported in approximately half of people with Alzheimer’s dementia and is associated with earlier alternative living placement.

 

What do patients, caregivers and families navigating the complexities of agitation associated with Alzheimer’s need to know? How are researchers and doctors better understanding risk factors and diagnoses? What policy actions can prioritize research, detection and treatment? And what are the access considerations for patients and their caregivers as they navigate this difficult symptom?

LOCATION

National Press Club Holeman Lounge, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC 20045

I've not been able to prioritize birding lately, so it was much needed that I got in a little today. And my first of year sighting of a Dickcissel made it even better! I heard many of them calling along a certain section of trail that my wife and I were biking along. So after our bike ride, we drove back, as close to that spot and found parking nearby. So I didn't have to walk far, but it DID take me quite a while to get close to one. It was fairly windy at the time and the top of this small tree was moving back and forth fairly quickly. I caught this shot using shutter priority mode and 1/2500 second exposure. Bunker Hills Regional Park, Anoka County, MN 06/28/25

Fifteen pounds. I've left them behind. So long, suckers… may you never return to my lovehandles. Eleven more, and I will reach my goal.

 

I've never really fully committed to making my lifestyle healthier, because I don't think I prioritized my health much in the past. I would tell myself, "I deserve to eat this [bad junk foody thing]" because I felt I'd had a hard day, or was miserable at my job, or frustrated about something. There always seemed to be a fair reason why my comfort was more valuable to me than my health.

 

I think when you talk about dieting, people make a lot of assumptions. I know I always have. But this hasn't felt anything like all the assumptions I've always made. It really doesn't seem like much of a physical change… my reflection looks the same, so far as I can tell. It feels like a mental change… an emotional change. I feel strong enough to not have to rely on false comforts that not-so-good foods provide. I feel like instead of wanting to say, "I deserve to eat this," I now want to say, "I deserve to NOT eat this." It has been a personal challenge where I get to prove to myself that I am stronger than I thought I was.

 

My mom has motivated me so much. She lost FORTY POUNDS in about five months. It helped me immensely to have an image of her in my head on the days I felt like succumbing to a bad temptation. In the past, when I'd eat, I wouldn't really snack… I'd binge. I always felt I didn't have enough self-control to successfully pull a turnaround like this off. But when someone close to you can do it… you start truly wondering if you might just be able to, too. I was *loathe* to ever consider counting calories. It sounds like a prison sentence, doesn't it? Well, guess what? It's more like budgeting money. So, I've been budgeting calories for two months without making *too* many changes or rules for myself about what I eat. I haven't changed my [limited] exercise habits, nor have I discontinued my consumption of cheese (my favourite food). And lo and behold… magic happened.

 

So, folks of Flickr… just in case you have felt the way I felt… I'm pleasantly surprised to tell you that you can indeed do it. If you ever need a little motivation, please drop me a line, 'cause I am starting to actually believe my goal is achievable. And now that I believe in me… I believe in you, too.

 

We had a magical night last night. We watched the second successful launch of the week at a remote mission control node, and then went on stage to talk about the inspirational SpaceX story. (more photos below)

 

Unfortunately, it was not recorded, but I noticed that they used the same "red-pill Matrix chairs" as my Elon interview a couple years ago across campus (which was recorded).

 

And the Reddit community came to the rescue, transcribing their notes (their words, not mine):

 

by GregLindahl:

 

Gwynne Shotwell gave a talk at Stanford on Oct 11 titled "The Road to Mars". Here are a few notes that I made, and hopefully a few other Redditers will fill in more details:

 

•She started off with a fun comment that she was pleased that they'd made it to orbit today, or else her talk would have been a downer.

•She said that Falcon Heavy was waiting on the launch pad to be ready, repeated December as a date, and then I am fairly sure she said that pad 40 would be ready in December.

•She said that they had fired scaled Raptor (known) and that they were building the larger version right now.

•She mentioned that they were going to build a new BFR factory in LA on the water, because it turned out to be too expensive to move big things from Hawthorne to the water.

•She told a story about coming to SpaceX: She had gotten tired of the way the aerospace industry worked, and was excited that SpaceX might be able to revolutionize things. And if that didn't work out, she planned on leaving the industry and becoming a barista or something. Fortunately, SpaceX worked out well.

  

By Sticklefront:

 

On Falcon Heavy

Reaffirmed that the rocket is ready and they are just waiting on the launchpad

Confirmed plan to launch in December (this is not just an Elon-date)

 

On launch sites

Pad 39a will be used for Falcon Heavy launches and crew flights

Boca Chica launch site under construction is the "perfect location for BFR"

She did not mention anything else about Boca Chica other than its prime suitability for BFR

 

On Commercial Crew

Reaffirmed timetable for launching crew next year

Extremely proud of Launch Escape System

First manned flight will have two astronauts on board

 

On "Global Broadband Network"

"Does anybody like their cable company? [Laughs] No one!"

Dragon is a very sophisticated satellite, so in that light, sees internet constellation as a natural extension of their current work

Compared size of global launch market (~8 billion dollars/year) to broadband market (~1 trillion dollars/year) to further explain SpaceX's interest

 

On Mars

Perhaps it was just an awkward phrase, but used the term "propellant depot" to describe orbital refueling process for BFR

Talked about tanker BFR and mentioned how Elon wants the fuel transfer to actually be as fast as seen in the Adelaide animation

 

At this point, it became a Q&A session. Audience members submitted questions online and voted on other questions. Steve Jurvetson sat down on stage with Shotwell and selected top voted questions and skillfully modified them as necessary to make them more sensible. This is perhaps the best SpaceX Q&A I have seen, this format is worth emulating.

 

Does SpaceX have the resources to do the satellite constellation and the BFR together, or will they need to prioritize?

We can do it, no question. We can fund both developments, depending on the time frame you're talking about. But Elon is impatient to get to Mars, so we'll have to get a bit creative with the financing.

 

How far can SpaceX take reuse?

The second stage is not designed for reuse on the Falcon 9 or the Falcon Heavy. However, we do want to bring it back slowly. Currently, it reenters but too hot. On missions with extra propellant, we want to bring it back to see how it behaves, not to recover or reuse. This data will be very valuable. Fairings have been recovered. We expect recovery will be good enough to start regularly reusing them in the first six months of next year.

 

Can normal people tolerate the g-forces of point-to-point BFR flight?

We are designing it so normal people can fly in it. We'll take care regarding the g-limit, but the experience will undoubtedly be sportier than an airplane.

 

Will SpaceX work with other companies regarding infrastructure on the surface of Mars?

SpaceX is focused on the transportation part of the Mars problem, but people need somewhere to go once they arrive. I don't think it's an accident that Elon started the Boring Company, tunnels will be very important in the first steps of living on Mars, before we build domes and terraform. We want other companies to start thinking about it and working on it, but we'll do it if we have to. I think the BFR might be ready before these other components of actually living on Mars.

 

Moon base vs Mars?

The moon is to some extent a practice to go to Mars, but given how government programs are, it'll take decades to even get to the moon. If the goal is Mars, then let's not waste resources going to the moon. But a real lunar base would be interesting, that's worth fighting for. Our ship will go to the moon, I'm sure we'll be part of the program that does go to the moon, but it will be designed for Mars.

 

What is the biggest obstacle to the BFR's success?

The composite tanks will be challenge, but we are doing it already. We are currently building a larger raptor right now, and currently have a scaled version of raptor on the test stands. Harder than the rocket, though, will be where poeple are going to live, what will life be like, what will they do there? Also, while the choice of fuel for the BFR was constrained by resource availability on Mars, it is no accident that the final choice of methane is the cheapest energy source here on earth. This will greatly facilitate the economics side of things.

 

How many BFR failures does SpaceX expect in development, and how many can it withstand?

I'm sure we'll have failures in the development program. However, as far as the launching piece, I'm going to say none (knocks on wood). Also, [referencing Mark Twain anecdote] we've learned so much from previous development programs, and have already hit all the sandbars, so I'm confident in our ability to design it properly.

 

Where will the BFR be built?

We're looking at building a facility by the water in LA. We thought we'd build it in our factory in Hawthorne, but we priced transport to the harbor, and it came out to $2.5m per trip. It would require taking down stoplights, and just wouldn't be worth it. So we will build a new facility by the water. We will eventually also have a number of production sites by out launch sites.

 

What is it like having been a part of SpaceX since the beginning? Both in terms of being this successful, and being able to stay on mission?

I wasn't sure we would make it when I joined SpaceX, but I knew I wouldn't want to be part of this industry if SpaceX didn't make it. I had a lot of experience in the industry before joining SpaceX and was sad at the lack of innovation in the industry. I was very disillusioned and decided to quit industry entirely and perhaps become a hairdresser if SpaceX didn't work out. Government money was being spent in stupid ways, and I wanted to show how to spend money on an exciting way, and it happened to be in space. The first time we went to the ISS, I didn't think we'd make it. If one more sensor had failed we'd have had to abort. But that success, and our first landing success, made it all worth it. Just being a part of that... When you watch the video of the Orbcomm landing, you can feel the energy that went up, the way everyone cheered... That's just not something they do on Wall Street.