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.

♦ Instructions available at Rebrickable ♦

"This is where the fun begins!"

My latest ship from the Prequel Trilogy has arrived, and it surely was a lot of fun to make: here's Obi Wan's Eta-2 Actis Interceptor from Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and The Clone Wars.

This small unit consists of 281 pieces (stand included), and has one major feature: true Minifig scale!

There's a handful of beautiful MOCs of this ship out there already, but most of them are based on the huge cockpit piece from the playsets, so they're drastically oversized. So here I am with a, dare I say, more accurately scaled version.

It does come with a drawback, you guessed it: you can't put a fig inside. A bit ironic I know, but I chose to go for a brick-built cockpit in order to get as close to the original design as I could, prioritizing accuracy over playability, as usual.

The wings were pretty challenging given the ridiculously small scale, and my goal was to have them as thin as possible without compromising the SNOT look.

I'm quite happy with the result and I think this makes a nice little display piece. It's also very swooshable despite the intricate wing design.

I'm usually not a fan of stickers, but I thought this one deserved some sweet markings. I used the sticker sheet from the playset - it is included in the parts list. The color scheme can be changed to red with only a few part swaps (see last page in the instructions).

► Instructions for the Eta-2 Actis Interceptor are available at Rebrickable!

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!

"But where are the clowns?

Quick, send in the clowns

Don't bother they're here..."

Yes, they are.... right here.

My day off....

My "To Do" list is pages and pages long. I never cross anything off it, I only add to the bottom of the list. So when I got up today.... my first thought.... I think I will go back to this location and pull those weeds to the right of the doorway because I might need this location again. Yup... and there you have it... my thought process, my inability to prioritize, and the reason nothing gets crossed off of my to do list (although.... if I add.... "pull the weeds at an abandoned building" to the list... I WILL have something to cross off! OK, works for me!)

.

As an update.... my co-worker loved his Clown Birthday card. My favorite part of all of it... when he looked at me... and asked me.... so, tell me how you did this. Where is that clown from? (meaning,,, where did you copy and paste him from).... oh.... THAT'S ME!!... coworker's jaw drops, he stutters.... and finally spits out the words.... "ohhhhh, Torrie.... that just takes that to a whole other level." (I will never forget that look on his face) So.... there you go.... I have achieved a whole new level of craziness (Let's be serious... I probably would have gotten there, eventually, anyway). And the photo.... three weeks later... sits on his desk.... with a sad deflated red balloon hanging from it and a vase full of very dead flowers. And he says he likes it that way.... I'm not exactly sure what his clients must think of HIM at this point...and that kind of takes HIM to a whole other level, too...

...and the saddesr part is that I doubt if I will EVER be able to top this birthday card (but it's not like I won't at least try....afterall... I DO have PRIORITIES!!)

(and on a side note... this clown costume just might be the best $5 I have ever spent... I really love it! Have I just achieved another level?!)

Another Friday spent along the rails of Cape Cod did not disappoint.

My main goal was to photograph newly repainted FL9 2011 which I did and then I had planned to again photograph the meet and swap with the northbound energy train. But those plans got changed when Mass Coastal train MC2 was unexpectedly thrown into the mix. They came down from Rochester with a string of empty C&D gons for Cassova at Otis which they were going to swap out with loads before heading back north to Rochester and on to Wareham.

They had to hold the main here at Taylor for a bit waiting for Cape Cod Central passenger train to finish up their station work and clear up the single track there. With the excursion train safely tucked in the siding here at MP 54.9 on the MassDOT owned and Mass Coastal operated former New Haven Cape Mainline, MC2 is pulling south.

Leading the way is MC 2008, a GP9RM blt. Apr. 1956 as CN 2020. On the south end of the passenger train is MC2009, a rare model GP28 built by EMD in Nov. 1964 for the Illinois Central as their #9439. Only 31 of the 1800 hp units were built and only 16 of those were for US roads.

Once the bridge is lowered the 2008 will head south toward the Falmouth Branch and on to Otis meeting the waiting energy train at Canal Jct. The latter will use the same bridge closing to scoot back here and hold the main for a meet and crew swap with the passenger consist before they each then head on their respective ways to Seamass and back down to the station.

For a small little shortline it sure got busy here for a moment requiring some decisions on what I wanted to prioritizing shooting. Not a bad problem to have!

Wareham, Massachusetts

Friday September 15, 2023

64-0989-5, fabricație 1973 Electroputere Craiova, reparație capitală cu remotorizare și recarosare în anul 2005, în serviciu comercial cu trenul InterRegio Night 1942 Mangalia - Satu Mare.

La nici măcar o oră distanță în spatele acestui tren circulă și trenul 1641 în relația București Nord - Satu Mare.

In stația Baia Mare pasagerii din trenul 1942 așteaptă 50 minute pentru atașarea vagoanelor celuilalt tren și continuarea călătoriei până în stația finală.

Dacă s-ar ține cont de interesele călătorilor, și nu de cele meschine a unor șefi de sindicat, orarele celor două trenuri ar fi corelate și cuplarea acestora s-ar face mai repede, fără a cauza disconfort pentru călători.

Locomotive 64-0989-5, built in 1973 by Electroputere Craiova, underwent a general overhaul with engine replacement and bodywork reconstruction in 2005. It is currently in commercial service hauling InterRegio Night train 1942, Mangalia – Satu Mare.

Less than an hour behind this train runs train 1641, Bucharest North – Satu Mare.

At Baia Mare station, passengers from train 1942 must wait 50 minutes for the coupling of coaches from the other train before continuing the journey to the final destination.

If passenger interests were prioritized over the petty concerns of certain union leaders, the timetables of the two trains would be coordinated, and the coupling operation would take place more promptly—avoiding unnecessary inconvenience for travelers.

Jibou, Sălaj (RO)

On the ferry heading back from Coronado.

I've been busy lately. I'm quite naughty to be posting here and not writing my advertising paper. So I ought to get back to that, really. But I have built myself a 'working' route for my rail trip, and thought I'd look for a little feedback. It's still too dense, and I don't think I can manage all of this in the timeframe I've allotted. I'd love your input on what places I should prioritize and what places I should save for another time:

START Toronto

01 Montreal – 2 nights

02 Boston – 1 night

03 NewYork – 2 nights

04 Philadelphia – 2 nights

05 DC – 2 nights

06 Richmond – 2 nights

07 Charleston – 1 night

08 Savannah – 1 night

09 New Orleans – 1 day [I've been here before]

10 Memphis – 2 nights

11 Chicago – 2 nights

12 St Louis – 1 day

13 Kansas City – 1 day

14 Albuquerque – 2 nights

15 Flagstaff – 1 day

16 LA – 1 day

END San Diego

Q: charleston or savannah?

Q: is it even worth stopping in flagstaff?

An airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system is an airborne radar early warning system designed to detect aircraft, ships, vehicles, missiles and other incoming projectiles at long ranges, as well as performing command and control of the battlespace in aerial engagements by informing and directing friendly fighter and attack aircraft. AEW&C units are also used to carry out aerial surveillance over ground and maritime targets, and frequently perform battle management command and control (BMC2). When used at altitude, the radar system on AEW&C aircraft allows the operators to detect, track and prioritize targets and identify friendly aircraft from hostile ones in real-time and from much farther away than ground-based radars.[1] Like ground-based radars, AEW&C systems can be detected and targeted by opposing forces, but due to aircraft mobility and extended sensor range, they are much less vulnerable to counter-attacks than ground systems.[2]

AEW&C aircraft are used for both defensive and offensive air operations, and serve air forces in the same role as what the combat information center is to naval warships, in addition to being a highly mobile and powerful radar platform. So useful and advantageous is it to have such aircraft operating at a high altitude, that some navies also operate AEW&C aircraft for their warships at sea, either coastal- or carrier-based and on both fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms. In the case of the United States Navy, the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye AEW&C aircraft is assigned to its supercarriers to protect them and augment their onboard command information centers (CICs). The designation "airborne early warning" (AEW) was used for earlier similar aircraft used in the less-demanding radar picket role,[3] such as the Fairey Gannet AEW.3 and Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star, and continues to be used by the RAF for its Sentry AEW1, while AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) emphasizes the command and control capabilities that may not be present on smaller or simpler radar picket aircraft. AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) is the name of the specific system installed in the American Boeing E-3 Sentry and Japanese Boeing E-767 AEW&C airframes, but is often used as a general synonym for AEW&C.[4][5]

General characteristics

Wellington Ic "Air Controlled Interception" showing rotating radar antenna

Modern AEW&C systems can detect aircraft from up to 400 km (220 nmi) away, well out of range of most surface-to-air missiles (SAM). One AEW&C aircraft flying at 9,000 m (30,000 ft) can cover an area of 312,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi). Three such aircraft in overlapping orbits can cover the whole of Central Europe.[6] AEW&C system indicates close and far proximity range on threats and targets, help extend the range of their sensors, and make offensive aircraft harder to track by avoiding the need for them to keep their own radar active, which the enemy can detect. Systems also communicate with friendly aircraft, vectoring fighters towards hostile aircraft or any unidentified flying object (UFO).

We took an all-day photography tour with Oahu Photography Tour. It was a lot of fun. I recommend it highly.

www.oahuphotographytours.com/

Our second stop was at Waimea Valley Botanical Garden.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waimea_Valley

Waimea Valley is an area of historic cultural significance on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The valley, being an important place in Hawaiian religion, includes several historical structures including stone terraces and walls constructed during the time of the Hawaiian monarchy. The nutrient-rich volcanic soil combined with a rainy environment provided the resourceful Hawaiians of the area the opportunity to create one of the most prosperous farming communities in all of Polynesia. The area had complex fish ponds, domesticated animal pens, various large farming beds, and was famous for the cultivation of pink taro root stock, a coveted item to the Ali`i (the Hawaiian elite).[1][2] Much of the garden floor was once cultivated for taro, sweet potato, and bananas, with new crops and orchards introduced by Europeans after their arrival.

Formerly known as the Waimea Valley Audubon Center and the Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the Waimea Valley is a historical nature park including botanical gardens. It is located at 59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii and is open daily except for Christmas and New Year's Day; an admission fee is charged.

www.waimeavalley.net/admission

Google AI

"This image shows a CCN-51 (Colección Castro Naranjal 51) cacao pod growing on a Theobroma cacao tree.

CCN-51 is a high-yielding, disease-resistant variety of cacao developed in Ecuador in the 1960s.

It is widely cultivated and known for its productivity, often yielding two to three times the typical harvest of traditional varieties.

The CCN-51 variety is a hybrid cross involving Iquitos, LAN 21 Criollo, and Amelonado genetic groups.

It is commonly used in the commodity chocolate industry due to its robust nature. "

www.thechocolatejournalist.com/blog/good-bad-ugly-cacao-c...

The characteristics of CCN-51 appeal to those that prioritize productivity. This is in fact a high yield kind of cacao that can grow in full sun and is resistant to fungal diseases. It produces four times more than fine flavor varieties. A real cacao machine!But it's not gold all that shines. CCN-51 is also known for its mediocre, if not awful flavor that chocolate expert Ed Seguine defines as “acidic dirt”. In a more polite way, top craft chocolate reviewer C-Spot emphasizes the lack of a "flavorful rainbow" in any new and improved varieties of CCN-51.

Presented as the solution to a potential cocoa shortage, this kind of cacao is dreaded by fine palates. But what is dreaded by fine palates is often a matter of survival for farmers. The high-productivity of CCN-51 can be a blessing for cocoa farmers that are dealing with wages below the poverty line.

We can now understand why CCN-51 unleashes a wide range of emotions among chocolate professionals. Opinions are different and vary based on expertise and specific positions in the supply chain.Here are the biggest topics of such tangled debate.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobroma_cacao

Theobroma cacao (cacao tree or cocoa tree) is a small (6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall) evergreen tree in the Malvaceae family.[1][3] Its seeds—cocoa beans—are used to make chocolate liquor, cocoa solids, cocoa butter and chocolate.[4] Although the tree is native to the tropics of the Americas, the largest producer of cocoa beans in 2022 was Ivory Coast.

Hawaii 2025

Oahu 2025

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.

9756-2

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kananaskis_Country

Kananaskis Country (also known as K-Country) is a multi-use area located west of Calgary in the foothills and front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Its western edge borders Banff National Park and the Alberta-British Columbia border. The region owes its name to the Kananaskis River, which was named by John Palliser in 1858 after a legendary Cree Native. Covering an area of approximately 4,000 km2 (1,500 sq mi), Kananaskis Country was established by the Alberta Government in 1978 to provide a variety of land uses and designations. Land uses include resource extraction activities (such as forestry, cattle grazing, water, oil and gas), recreation, power generation, and residential communities. Land designations include public land and protected areas

The late 19th century and early 20th century saw the development of commercial use such as lumbering, hydroelectric developments, and coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rockies, which included what is now the Kananaskis region. When control over natural resources and Crown land was transferred from federal responsibility to Alberta in 1930, the province’s natural resources were considered to be a source of considerable wealth that would stay within the province. This led to more commercial use and the establishing of a provincial park system. Tourism and recreational demand also increased after the Second World War.[

Increased recreational use, especially after the completion of industrial access roads, led to serious environmental problems in the eastern slopes area. The environmental effects of the petroleum industry and coal mining were also causing problems that needed to be minimized. Environmental protection, including the importance of protecting and regulating stream flow, became a concern, which led to the establishment of Kananaskis Country, whose main intent was to provide recreational opportunities that were balanced with resource protection and commercial interests.

Kananaskis Country was officially dedicated by Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed in September 1978. Although Kananaskis Country is often mistaken to be a single park, it comprises several provincial parks, wildland provincial parks, provincial recreation areas, an ecological reserve and Crown Land, and provides for various uses that include recreation, tourism, industry and preservation. The primary reason for Kananaskis Country's establishment, however, was to accommodate recreational pursuits. The Kananaskis Country subregional Integrated Resource Plan ensures that all activities are planned and facilities are developed to prioritize conservation and environmental protection. Not all areas of Kananaskis Country are covered by the same measure of protection and each area has its own permitted activities.The main (regional) Kananaskis parks office is located in Canmore.

Improvement District No. 5 (Kananaskis), which shares most of its boundaries with Kananaskis Country, is the municipal region that provides local government and municipal services including fire protection, ambulance service, garbage handling, water, sewer, collecting taxes, and business licensing. Kananaskis Improvement District's municipal office is located in Kananaskis Village.

© Copyright

This photo and all those in my Photostream are protected by copyright. No one may reproduce, copy, transmit or manipulate them without my written permission

Banff. So many amazing locations to shoot. Way too many to shoot during the golden hours over a four day visit. After a number of visits (five, if you are counting), it gets easier to prioritize which ones are the best at sunrise and sunset. That leaves other times of the day for everything else. Some photographers will tell you that for a photo to be good, you must shoot during the golden hours. I agree with them to a degree. If you are lucky enough to have good weather with nice cumulous clouds, the light that you get at sunrise and sunset can't be matched (it's not called golden hours for nothing). But to stop shooting because the golden light is gone is simply hogwash to me. Take this photo of Johnson Lake that I took in mid-afternoon. It wasn't the best conditions that I had on this visit. In fact, it was dreary most of the afternoon. If you are patient and wait long enough, you might get a little sunlight breaking through and lighting the treetops and clouds.

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.

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.

This image is best viewed in Large screen.

Thank-you for your visit, and any faves or comments are always greatly appreciated.

Sonja

As a photographer who prioritizes capturing uplifting, hopeful images, it’s really difficult for me to photograph images with any semblance of decay or destruction, but as the sun was setting and casting interesting shadows on these wildfire devastated trees in the El Dorado National Forest, I experienced a profound respect for the life and death they endured. Minimal post-processing was required to convey the reverent mood I was seeking in these images, primarily relying upon Adobe Lightroom’s latest color grading panel, which really has a profound impact on the mood of an image using slight color adjustments in the highlights, shadows and midtones.

www.optimalfocusphotography.com

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.

This image is best viewed in Large screen.

Thank-you for your visit, and any faves or comments are always sincerely appreciated.

Sonja

The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in Morningside Heights in Manhattan on a cold wintery afternoon in January of 2013. Prominent in the foreground is the Peace Fountain, a 40 foot bronze sculpture that was sculpted by Cathedral Artist-in-Residence Greg Wyatt in 1985 in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Diocese of New York. The corner stone for the Cathedral was laid on December 27, 1892 by the Episcopal Bishop of New York Henry Codman Potter on the 13 acre property that was acquired on the Morningside Heights plateau for the Cathedral. This amazing structure, now past its 120 birthday is not finished. It has had financial delays, deaths, two world wars, the diocese’s funding is directed to prioritize serving the community through their programming and social initiatives that have stood as obstacles. There have constantly been efforts to maintain the architectural integrity of the Cathedral. Regardless it is the world’s largest cathedral and among the five largest church buildings in the world.

When Peppers has had his fill of weeds, he prioritizes pats and brushing. He's a very sweet goat, and loves attention.

⦁ As you’ve seen in my previous blogs, I love exploring every corner of this amazing community. My goal is simple: to capture everything that makes it special. Behind each building, there’s a team of dedicated staff members ready to care for residents with compassion and professionalism.

Today, I took a trip to Woodland Grove EMS Station home to our incredible first responders.

The moment a resident dial 911, a chain of lifesaving action begins. The dispatcher quickly alerts Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and within moments, trained professionals are on their way. EMS teams respond to accidents, sudden illnesses, and urgent medical situations where every second matters.

When they arrive at the scene, their work begins immediately. They assess the situation, evaluate injuries or medical conditions, and make rapid decisions about the care needed. Their ability to stay calm under pressure is remarkable. They prioritize treatment based on severity, stabilize patients, and prepare them for safe transport.

Driving an emergency vehicle is no small task. EMS professionals must move swiftly while still adhering to traffic laws and ensuring the safety of everyone on board. Their focus is unwavering patient care comes first.

This department is always active because emergencies can happen at any time, day or night. With over four EMS personnel ready to respond, residents can feel confident knowing help is never far away.

Woodland Grove EMS Station isn’t just a building it’s a hub of courage, skill, and dedication. Behind those doors are heroes who stand ready to serve at a moment’s notice, ensuring our community remains safe and cared for every single day.

Location: Woodland Grove Community / EMS Station

→ 💎Him:

Outfit: [Mazzaro] Elden Set / Shirt, Short. / 10 colors / Equal10

It's been a while since I've been away from Flickr. It feels like forever. I will not drain you with my reasons, suffice to say, sometimes life needs some prioritizing. I hope to stay on course and do my best to catch up with your streams, which I've missed.

Hace unos dias que he estado fuera de Flickr y parece que ha sido mucho tiempo. No les aburriré con mis razones, suficiente decir que en la vida, a veces hay que priorizar las cosas. Trataré de mantenerme y ponerme al día con sus galerías, que he extrañado.

Flickeflu

Your visit and comments are appreciated.

Su visita y comentarios son agradecidos.

As a photographer who prioritizes capturing uplifting, hopeful images, it’s really difficult for me to photograph images with any semblance of decay or destruction, but as the sun was setting and casting interesting shadows on these wildfire devastated trees in the El Dorado National Forest, I experienced a profound respect for the life and death they endured. Minimal post-processing was required to convey the reverent mood I was seeking in these images, primarily relying upon Adobe Lightroom’s latest color grading panel, which really has a profound impact on the mood of an image using slight color adjustments in the highlights, shadows and midtones.

www.optimalfocusphotography.com

The Buick Super is a full-sized automobile produced by Buick from 1940 through the 1958 model years, with a brief hiatus from 1943 through 1945. The first generation shared the longer wheelbase with the top level Roadmaster while offering the smaller displacement engine from the Buick Special. The Super prioritized passenger comfort over engine performance. For several years, it was called the "Buick Eight" or "Super Eight" due to the engravement on the grille while all Buick's since 1931 were all installed with the Buick Straight-8 engine with varying engine displacement.

Super returned as a performance trim level on V8-powered LaCrosse and Lucerne sedans from 2008 until 2011.

The 1942 Super coupes adopted the appealing Sedanet fastback style that had been the sensation of 1941 on Century and Special. New wider and lower bodies were offered and "Airfoil" front fenders that flowed into the lines of the rear fenders were introduced on convertibles and sedanet models. The Super had new front fender trim featuring parallel chrome strips. Also featured for 1942 was a handsome new grille with a lower outline and thin vertical strips. A feature shared with other Buicks was a new interior air intake positioned near the front center grille that eliminated the old cowl-level ventilator. The number of body styles was reduced to three with the elimination of the one year only Business coupe.[1]

After the government prohibited the use of chrome on January 1, 1942 a number of body styles were dropped and most trim was now painted. Cast iron pistons were used in the 248 cu in (4.1 L) Fireball straight-eight engine. The last of the 1942 Buicks were completed on February 4, 1942. Only 33,034 Supers were built in the abbreviated model year.[1]

In 1946 Buick once again combined the large Series 70 Roadmaster body with the economical Series 40 Special powerplant to create the Series 50 Super line. Basic styling was continued from 1942 now sedans had the front fender sweep across the doors to the rear fenders as did the Sedanet and convertible styles. A stamped grille with vertical bars dominated the frontal ensemble. Single stainless body trim lines began on the front fenders and ended at the rear edge of the standard rear wheelhouse shields. Standard equipment included an automatic choke, clock, ash receiver, turn signals and a painted woodgrain instrument panels.[5] Exterior series identification was found on the crossbar between the bumper guards front and rear. Cloisonne emblems carried the Super emblem. Compound Carburetion was eliminated and the compression ratio was reduced to 6.30:1. As a consequence the 1946 Super's horsepower fell from 125 to 110. Torque on the other hand was hardly affected. The number of body styles increased to four with the return of the Estate wagon after a six year absence. A total of 119,334 units were sold. The front suspension was independent with coil springs.[6] 76.98% of Buick sales this year were Supers. Wikipedia

But I'm getting better at admitting when I'm wrong

I'm happier than ever, at least that's my endeavor

To keep myself together and prioritize my pleasure

youtu.be/sQUNW7qI9zY

We hiked for several hours up the mountains through territory unfamiliar to me, carrying two days worth of gear and slipping and sliding our way through the first real snowfall of the year, our sight limited by surrounding fog so thick we couldn't see more than a few feet in any direction. The night was spent a cabin that seemed in the middle of nowhere, as if suspended in time and space - lost in the whiteout fog and silence of the empty mountains for miles around. Silent, save for the joyful laughter of good friends that could be heard from inside the cabin, perhaps spurred on by the wine and chocolate that somehow was prioritized to be carried up the mountain. Night passed, morning came, the fog still heavy... We wandered through the fresh blankets of snow, hoping and waiting for the sun to break through. And then, it did. The mist began to roll back down the mountain, lit brilliant gold by the rising sun, and we got our first view of our surroundings as I took this self-portrait. I can't remember if I said any words in particular during this moment, but I do remember my heart soaring and feeling the happiest I've felt in a long time, standing here in my element and witnessing one of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever seen. It will be a long time before I ever forget this one.

With a Paducah Rebuild GP10 in tow, BNSF Train J ABIAUM1 30A rounds the curve at 30th Street as it leaves the KCT Railway for the BNSF Ft. Scott Sub. on Main Track 2 as Engineer Wil Burke gives us a friendly wave.

Though the "high-wide" symbol might be somewhat misleading, railroads commonly use this prefix type on expedited or high value moves to differentiate from other less prioritized trains, or ones that require less special handling. The hopper car is along for the ride to satisfy minimum axle requirements for properly shunting signal systems.

The GP10 was built for Illinois Central as GP9 IC 9120 in 12-1955 with a builder number of 20758 frame number 5409-3. In March 1973 it emerged from shop as a graduate of the ICG's Paducah Rebuild program as ICG 8329 as a GP10. It was later sold to the US Army, and renumbered USAX 1873. Later retired and sold to S&S Leasing and renumbered SSRX 1873, it soon found a new home on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad and renumbered MRSR 9120, regaining its original number, while owned by American Heritage Railways in 2016.

It was painted in the Milwaukee Road-inspired livery as seen here and pulled trains in Washington until COVID-19 shut the railroad down, and eventually forced AHR to seek a new owner.

The locomotive was then moved into storage on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad in Abilene, KS; the ASVR being a fairly recently affiliated partner with AHR. The Branson Scenic Railway was purchased by AHR in 2024, and the movement of the locomotive was expedited to that property in this special move in order to restore service for their busy Independence Day holiday week of excursions due to their GP30, BSRX 99 experiencing a sudden prime mover failure.

The engine was interchanged to the MNA Railroad at Aurora, MO, quickly wyed, and raced to Branson to be placed in service. By July 3rd it had been turned, serviced, tested, and re-lettered to pull the train out of Branson, facing south.

Locomotives: BNSF 6578, HRMX 9120

6-30-25

Kansas City, MO

Five Union Pacific ACs lead the super hot Premium Intermodal train down into the bottom of Caliente as the train gets ready to make a 180º turn. The train is finishing off a fast decent down the Tehachapi's, as the Tacoma South Intermodal Terminal "TacSim", WA bound train stopped everything on the mountain Uphill and Downhill. Now that Union Pacific only runs northbound Z-train the running of this train and the ZLCLT are really prioritized even with work windows in effect.

Meus Amigos,

Logo após subir esta foto terei que desligar para iniciar minha viagem de volta para casa.

Não é provável que possa voltar a me conectar antes da noite de amanhã, ou seja, deverei estar desligado nas próximas 24 horas.

Na ocasião tentarei visitar todos os meus contatos, obviamente priorizando os que são mais assíduos na minha galeria.

Que todos fiquem bem.

Até amanhã.

My friends,

Shortly after this picture I have to go off to start my journey back home.

Not likely to be able to connect me back before tomorrow night, or should I be off the next 24 hours.

On occasion I will try to visit all my contacts, prioritizing those who obviously are morediligent in my gallery.

That everyone is well.

Until tomorrow.

¡ GRACIAS A TODOS POR ESTAS 120.000 VISITAS !

Las hormigas tienen un organización social muy similar a la de las termitas, y mucha gente cree que están emparentadas y que las termitas son una especie de hormiga de color claro.

Pero en realidad termitas y hormigas pertenecen a órdenes diferentes. Sin embargo los sistemas de organización social son de un notorio parecido, lo que se representa un caso de convergencia evolutiva en especies muy diferentes.

Las hormigas son en verdad himenópteros, y están emparentados con las avispas y las abejas, con estas últimas además comparten el hecho de vivir en sociedades organizadas, donde lo que se prioriza es la vida de la colmena por sobre la del individuo, Tanto es así que muchos biólogos consideran al la colonia toda, como un superorganismo.

English

THANK YOU ALL FOR THESE 120,000 visits!

The ants have a social organization similar to that of termites, and many people believe they are related and that termites are a species of ant in color.

But in reality, termites and ants belong to different orders. However, the social organization systems are a remarkable resemblance, which represents a case of convergent evolution in different species.

Ants are truly Hymenoptera, and are related to wasps and bees, with the latter also share the fact of living in organized societies, where what is prioritized is the life of the hive on the individual, so much so Many biologists consider the entire colony as a superorganism.

The NDC’s rapid response forces and special operations commandos utilizes a small number of customized versions of both the C404 and 405. Nicknamed ‘Black Dogs’ these vehicles prioritize speed and firepower over armor protection, and works as ground mobility and support vehicles.

9714-2

From Wikipedia:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kananaskis_Country

Kananaskis Country (also known as K-Country) is a multi-use area located west of Calgary in the foothills and front ranges of the Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada. Its western edge borders Banff National Park and the Alberta-British Columbia border. The region owes its name to the Kananaskis River, which was named by John Palliser in 1858 after a legendary Cree Native. Covering an area of approximately 4,000 km2 (1,500 sq mi), Kananaskis Country was established by the Alberta Government in 1978 to provide a variety of land uses and designations. Land uses include resource extraction activities (such as forestry, cattle grazing, water, oil and gas), recreation, power generation, and residential communities. Land designations include public land and protected areas

The late 19th century and early 20th century saw the development of commercial use such as lumbering, hydroelectric developments, and coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rockies, which included what is now the Kananaskis region. When control over natural resources and Crown land was transferred from federal responsibility to Alberta in 1930, the province’s natural resources were considered to be a source of considerable wealth that would stay within the province. This led to more commercial use and the establishing of a provincial park system. Tourism and recreational demand also increased after the Second World War.[

Increased recreational use, especially after the completion of industrial access roads, led to serious environmental problems in the eastern slopes area. The environmental effects of the petroleum industry and coal mining were also causing problems that needed to be minimized. Environmental protection, including the importance of protecting and regulating stream flow, became a concern, which led to the establishment of Kananaskis Country, whose main intent was to provide recreational opportunities that were balanced with resource protection and commercial interests.

Kananaskis Country was officially dedicated by Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed in September 1978. Although Kananaskis Country is often mistaken to be a single park, it comprises several provincial parks, wildland provincial parks, provincial recreation areas, an ecological reserve and Crown Land, and provides for various uses that include recreation, tourism, industry and preservation. The primary reason for Kananaskis Country's establishment, however, was to accommodate recreational pursuits. The Kananaskis Country subregional Integrated Resource Plan ensures that all activities are planned and facilities are developed to prioritize conservation and environmental protection. Not all areas of Kananaskis Country are covered by the same measure of protection and each area has its own permitted activities. The main (regional) Kananaskis parks office is located in Canmore.

Improvement District No. 5 (Kananaskis), which shares most of its boundaries with Kananaskis Country, is the municipal region that provides local government and municipal services including fire protection, ambulance service, garbage handling, water, sewer, collecting taxes, and business licensing. Kananaskis Improvement District's municipal office is located in Kananaskis Village.

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This photo and all those in my Photostream are protected by copyright. No one may reproduce, copy, transmit or manipulate them without my written permission

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I think I’m going to raise my prices for photographing weddings. It’s not something I want to do, but the market and my schedule demands it. I have worked pretty darn hard the past 3 years to build my wedding photography business. My first one was in June of 2005 when I got $300 for shooting a friend of a guy I work with. Since then I have been the main photographer on 40 weddings. Looking at my calendar, I have up to 21 more this year. Now, shooting 32 weddings in one year is a lot for a single photographer. But I also have a full time professional job, teach a class at the local Park & Rec, and have 2 kids and a house. There is no doubt that I love what I do, but I love my family more. Even though we’re severely in debt and need the money to just survive, I just can’t continue this pace. God has blessed me with a lot of work and great clients, and I know he won’t give me more than I can handle, but at the same time, I need to know how to pace myself and how to prioritize things in life. I’m looking for GOOD photographers in the 805 who might be able to help me out with some weddings, or perhaps just take some of the weddings I’m on contract with at Casa Sirena. Due to some unplanned life events recently, I need to focus more on my family and non-photography life in order to maintain sanity.

I’ve also been told my prices are too low for what I do. Now I don’t do a whole lot. I shoot the wedding, I edit a good lot of them with Picasa, and a select few with Photoshop, then I burn the bride/groom a copy and send it to them. No albums, or crazy prints. Just simple. So that cuts my time down, but still 30+ weddings is at least double what I had wanted to do.

That being said, Tania & Vince was my favorite wedding of the year. I don’t see a wedding on my horizon that would eclipse the beauty, fun and personality of this wedding. I finally updated my neglected BLOG with a LOT of photos from this wedding. Honestly I couldn’t limit myself from finding 40 photos to post.

Anyway, so for 2010 starting today, I’m going to double my prices, which should slow things down a bit. I hate to do it, but then I can focus more on my family, and take better care of each bride/groom I do work with. I haven’t advertised on Craigslist or anywhere else in quite some time, and it’s obvious that word of mouth and my reputation is enough to at least satisfy this “part time recreational fun job”.

Marsha P. Johnson was born Malcolm Michaels Jr. on August 24, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, into a working-class African American family. Raised in a religious household, Marsha experienced early hostility toward gender nonconformity and learned quickly that expressing femininity could provoke violence and punishment. After finishing high school, Marsha left New Jersey for New York City with little money, few belongings, and a determination to live openly. In New York, Marsha survived through street economies, sex work, performance, and mutual aid. She became part of the drag and street queen community in Greenwich Village, where poor Black and Brown queer people formed underground networks of survival in a city that criminalized their existence. Police harassment, arbitrary arrests, beatings, and extortion were constant realities. In June 1969, Marsha was present at the Stonewall Inn during the police raid that triggered several nights of rebellion. Multiple witnesses place her among those who physically resisted the police during the first moments of confrontation. Stonewall was not symbolic for Marsha; it was a direct response to years of abuse and the beginning of sustained struggle. After Stonewall, Marsha continued organizing on the streets rather than entering institutional politics. Together with Sylvia Rivera, she co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), one of the first organizations created by and for transgender and gender-nonconforming people. STAR functioned as a survival structure: Marsha and Rivera raised money through sex work, performance, and panhandling to rent and later occupy buildings that became homes for homeless transgender youth. STAR House provided beds, food, clothing, and protection for young people expelled from their families and rejected by shelters. Marsha openly criticized the mainstream gay rights movement for prioritizing the concerns of white, middle-class gay men while excluding drag queens, transgender people, sex workers, and the poor. She confronted organizers who attempted to erase trans people from marches and public platforms. In the 1980s, Marsha became active with ACT UP, participating in demonstrations demanding medical access, research funding, and humane treatment for people with AIDS. She also performed with the radical drag-theater collective Hot Peaches, using art as a tool of political expression and community building. Marsha lived with significant mental health challenges and endured extreme poverty, yet remained deeply committed to caring for others. Friends described her as generous to the point of self-sacrifice, giving away food, money, and clothing even when she had little herself. On July 6, 1992, Marsha’s body was found in the Hudson River near the Christopher Street piers. Earlier that night, witnesses reported seeing her being harassed and chased. Despite these accounts and visible injuries, police quickly ruled her death a suicide. Years later, under pressure from activists and new witness statements, the case was reopened as a possible homicide, though no one has been held accountable. Marsha P. Johnson represents a form of political struggle rooted in the daily defense of human life rather than respectability or institutions. She fought for people considered disposable and refused to accept a movement that did not include them. Her legacy lives in every fight for the dignity, safety, and self-determination of transgender and marginalized people. I publish these portraits to remember real history, to honor those who gave their lives for dignity, freedom, and justice, to oppose propaganda and erasure, to speak to younger generations, and to invite conscience, awareness, and resistance.

I disregarded some of the composition rules on this one...just couldn't bring myself to cut out any of the light.

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HBW everyone. I really have little business doing what I want and spending time on Flickr but I had to stop in and say Hi. For those of you new to my stream, I am Mr. Mom and spend my days loving and summoning patience with and for my 29 month old. And part-time I get some photography work and administrative tasks to do at home.

David

I love being outdoors and away from city noise - though it's difficult to sit still for any length of time. Years of working in a stressful environment and constantly prioritizing yet another urgent request makes it difficult to slow down. When I do manage it, however, as I did here, it's absolute bliss to feel the morning sun on my face and the cool breezes between my toes.

Front façade of Eutin Castle from brick in the district town of Eutin, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Some background information:

Eutin Castle is a palace in the town of Eutin in the north German district of Eastern Holstein. It is both Eutin‘s cultural centre and nucleus. Taken together, this castle, Gottorf Castle and Glücksburg Castle form the most important group of courtly secular buildings in the Northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Eutin Castle traces its origins to the bishop's manor of Gerold of Oldenburg. In 1156, he received these lands as a gift from the Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein, who was also the founder of the city of Lübeck. The estate was expanded under Bishop Johannes of Tralau between 1260 and 1275, receiving a larger stone structure that now forms the core of the castle’s east wing. In 1293, the first castle chapel was built.

Little is known about the original design of the castle. It was likely a simple fortification of the time, surrounded by walls, with separate buildings that prioritized functionality over appearance. From 1277 to 1283 and again between 1299 and 1317, Bishop Burkhard of Serkem faced renewed disputes with Lübeck. As a result, the castle was expanded into a small fortress and was reinforced with a moat under his successors around 1350. From 1439 to 1486, additional structures were built in phases, including the core of the present gate tower. By the 16th century, the individual buildings had been joined together to form a modest Renaissance castle, giving rise to today’s irregular floor plan, particularly on the city-facing front side.

With the Reformation, the dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf gained control of Eutin in 1586 and provided the Prince-Bishops. During the Thirty Years’ War, the bishopric faced the threat of secularization, but Johann X, at that time prince-bishop of Lübeck, managed to prevent this by securing the prince-bishopric’s connection to the House of Gottorf. This alliance, however, caused ongoing conflicts with the Danish monarchy, culminating in 1705 with a Danish occupation and partial destruction of the castle. However, in 1689, both castle and town had already suffered significant damage due to a fire.

The palace reached its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries. Between the reigns of Christian August and Friedrich August I, it transformed into a Baroque princely court, and Eutin became a social center in the region. During this time, significant extensions were made to the castle, its interiors, and the gardens. Eutin became one of the few grand Baroque residences in Schleswig and Holstein. These works were overseen by the Swedish-Pomeranian court architect Rudolph Matthias Dallin from 1717 to 1727. Plans for an extensive reconstruction of the castle were considered but never realized due to financial constraints.

The castle park was redesigned in the French style, becoming one of the largest Baroque gardens in the region alongside the gardens of Gottorf Castle. It was in this park in 1739 that Sophie Auguste Friederike of Anhalt-Zerbst, the niece of Friedrich August I and the future Russian czarina Catherine the Great, first met her unloved husband Karl Peter Ulrich of Holstein-Gottorf, the later Russian short-term czar Peter III.

In 1773, the Lübeck Prince-Bishops gained the rank and title of Duke of Oldenburg due to the unification of their territory with Oldenburg and Delmenhorst under the Treaty of Zarskoje Selo. Friedrich August ruled from Eutin until his death in 1785. Following the secularization of the Bishopric of Lübeck in 1803, his successors moved their residence to Oldenburg Castle. Eutin, now part of an Oldenburg exclave, was used only as a summer residence but retained its prominence. During this time, the outdated Baroque garden was transformed into a modern landscape park.

In the early 19th century, Eutin earned the reputation of being the "Weimar of the North," thanks to the influence of artists like Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein, Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock, and Franz Anton von Weber, supported by the patronage of Duke Peter I. Around 1820, plans were made to redesign the outer castle courtyard in a Neoclassical style. The old courtyard was demolished, and an open palace square was created in 1828. But also the castle itself was given a Neoclassical interior makeover and an additional floor by 1845.

Until the abdication of Friedrich August II in 1918, Eutin remained a regular summer residence for the ducal family. After the abdication, the castle was no longer inhabited, and a museum was established within its walls. Both the city and the castle survived both World Wars unscathed. Toward the end of World War II, a wave of refugees from the eastern territories of Germany arrived, and the empty castle was repurposed as a refugee camp. At times, hundreds of people lived in the castle under dire conditions, with only four toilets in the entire building.

After extensive restoration, the castle was partially reopened to the public in 1957. It was also used as a filming location for parts of the 1972 movie "Cabaret" starring Liza Minnelli. Further renovations became necessary in the 1980s, with financial support from the state and federal government. In 1992, the ducal family transferred the castle and gardens to the newly established Eutin Castle Foundation. With the mission to preserve, open, and present the castle and its gardens, funded by state grants and self-generated income, the foundation also promotes education, research, and documentation.

Eutin is the capital of the Northern German district of Eastern Holstein in thd German state of Schleswig-Holstein. The town has about 17,300 inhabitants, is located about 40 km (25 miles) north of the city of Lübeck and nestles between three lakes: the Great Eutiner Lake, the Small Eutiner Lake and the Sibbersdorfer Lake. Eutin is the birthplace of the famous composer and pianist Carl Maria von Weber, who was born there in 1786.

In the 7th century, a settlement was founded by the Slavic Obotrites tribe that built a wooden castle on Pheasant Island in the Great Eutiner Lake. The Obotrites named their new village "Utin". In the 12th century, the settlement was populated by Dutch settlers and already in 1156, Eutin became a market town. Eutin’s further history is closely related to the one of its castle.

Every year, Eutin hosts two festivals: the Eutiner Festspiele in summer, where operas are performed in an open-air theatre in the gardens of Eutin Castle, and the Blues Fesitival in spring, which takes place in the town centre. Due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea resorts along the Bay of Lübeck, which have seen increased demand partly due to the trend toward domestic tourism, Eutin has also come into focus for the tourism industry in recent years.

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 love almost all seasons of the year, but if I'm asked to prioritize then it'll be something like Autumn, Winter and Summer. I just love how the greens from the summer transitions into those various colors. A lot of science going on in the background but even without the knowledge of it, the whole phenomena is such a wonderful thing to experience.

Shot this on on march 11th, 2011 in Ulsfjord, close to Tromsø.

The colors of the aurora are decided by the amount of energy absorbed, and wheater it is

oxygen or nitrogen (atoms) emissions of photons in the earths upper atmosphere colliding with the solar winds. When these atoms collides with solar winds they get "excited", or ionized.

When oxygen emissions collide, which is the most common, the color of the aurora is mostly green.

When nitrogen emissions collide, which is more rare, the color is blue or red depending on the state the atoms remains in. Red if the atoms returns to ground state from excited state.

Hence the title.

The auroral activity is from 100-500km altitude. The greener colors are lower at about 100-200km, and the red from 200km to 500km altitude. This is also visible in this picture with both green and red aurora, where the red goes much higher.

An absolutely fantastic evening this was, dead silent waters, cold (-5) and no winds whatsoever.

What just annoyes me a tiny bit is that after I had shot a few of these shots, I took a tiny break,

and during that tiny break the BIGGEST meteor I have ever witnessed came over my head and continued out the sky over this beautiful fjord. It was as wide as the ray in the middle of the auroras here. I was like 5-6 meters away from the tripod which was perfectly positioned for having captured it. If I had got that meteor in the shot as well, I guess somebody at NASA could have been interested, since it was the biggest thing I have ever seen. You could see it burning up when entering the atmosphere, going from yellow to orange/red, until disappearing behind the horizon.

Well, I guess coincidences and luck (or the lack of it) often decides weather to make or break.

Regardless, I think this picture ranks a high among my shots so far, due to the spectacular color-range.

Hope you enjoy it,

Canon EOS 5D Mark II + Nikon 14-24G AF S @ f/2.8, ISO 2500, 15sec

Hit "L" on your keyboard or click on the picture to view larger on black.

Although, sharpness is best preserved in full resolution version.

best reg.

Ole

PS! PLEASE PLEASE no flashy big group icons!! Real comments are always welcome, positive and constructive negative, but PLEASE spare me of those fancy flickr-idol logos!! Comments with huge pictures/logos in it will be removed. Please don't invite me to groups with the purpose of commenting on 3 pictures etc.

AGAIN! I have been deleting lot's of meaningless comments lately with nothing more than a huge logo inviting me into groups for commenting on pictures. I will comment on the pictures that I like, and I will prioritize the work of the excellent photographers that I follow! PLEASE do not invite me into these groups, spare your energy! Those logos are so impersonal I'd rather you don't post anything. Please respect this!!

For more pictures, follow me on facebook:

arctic light photo - on facebook

Ole

Hola!

What's good people?

I am back and I have some fresh scans to share with you. It's been almost three months since I last posted here.

And although I never really stopped shooting, there were times that I had to prioritize other financial obligations over my practice, and was struggling to keep up with the whole workflow from exposure to scanning and or printing.

For example, I would either afford just shooting, just scanning or just printing, but not all together in a coherent process. This in turn creates a backlash of other problems in my workflow, such as the build up of undeveloped film and me not being able to see my work regularly and reflect.

Honestly, I don't like being unable to afford to shoot, develop and scan film, it creates a gap in my practice and makes me feel cold with the craft.

I also don't like not being able to see what I am shooting as often as possible, as I am unable to reflect, thus creating inconsistencies with my learning curve.

I have noticed that I kind of like having a consistent practice routine and being able to see the progress. It's a constant flow, one thing feeds another and they are all interconnected. Writing feeds thinking, thinking feeds seeing, seeing feeds shooting, shooting feeds printing and so forth and so forth. Sometimes, when this flow is interfered, I might also be affected mentally and come out of balance.

This is because photography is not just a passion for me but a way to ground myself daily and be more present. It helps me a lot to get out of my head and experience everything around me in the flesh and not from the window of my fish tank. It forces me to become more aware of my surroundings which then helps my ability to control, maintain and direct my focus. Something I struggle to do a lot of times.

****Keep on reading on the next photo post****

To be continued..

Dev & Scanned by @comethroughlab

Yitzhak Rabin (March 1, 1922 – November 4, 1995, Israel)

Yitzhak Rabin was an Israeli military leader and politician who became one of the most important figures in Israel’s modern history. Born in Jerusalem in 1922, he served as a general in the Israeli army and played a key role in the country’s wars and defense. Later, he became Prime Minister of Israel, leading the nation during a critical time of conflict and political tension.

Despite his military background, Rabin chose the path of peace. He recognized the need to negotiate with the Palestinians and sought to end the long-standing conflict between Israel and its neighbors. He signed the Oslo Accords, a historic agreement aimed at establishing a framework for peace and mutual recognition. Rabin’s efforts represented a bold choice: to prioritize diplomacy, dialogue, and the acknowledgment of the rights of all human beings over continued war and domination.

On November 4, 1995, Rabin was assassinated by an Israeli extremist during a peace rally in Tel Aviv. His murderer, Yigal Amir, opposed Rabin’s pursuit of peace and saw his efforts as a threat to Israel’s nationalist and militaristic agenda. Rabin’s assassination was not only a personal tragedy but also a symbolic act that confirmed the resistance within Israel to peace and demonstrated how internal forces can uphold a state built on war rather than reconciliation.

Reason for assassination:

Rabin was killed because he chose peace over war. His vision of coexistence and recognition of Palestinian rights was seen as a betrayal by those who wanted to maintain a system of domination and militarism. His death marked the end of a real opportunity for peace in Israel and highlighted the power of war-driven forces within the state that continue to influence its policies to this day.

Purpose of this series:

This series of portraits honors historical figures who died for the people, for justice, and for the truth. It is meant to awaken young minds, inspire reflection, and encourage viewers to recognize the sacrifices made by those who dared to oppose oppression, challenge violence, and fight for the rights of all human beings. Each image serves as a reminder that standing for peace often comes at the highest cost, and that remembering these sacrifices is essential to resisting injustice.

Perched atop the catwalk at Jacksonville’s Main Street Bridge, almost 60 feet above heavy traffic racing below my feet, I spotted an unusual sight; A brand new shiny FEC OCS Train.

This later turned out to be a joint business meeting between CSX and FEC executives. They would pause briefly on the Strauss Trunnion Bascule bridge before returning to the Dufford Transportation Center.

Profiled as Z101, it ran out of Bowden yard first and then west to CSX’s Kenneth C. Dufford Transportation Center off McDuff Ave. Presumably they would discuss financial matters and work to prioritize new projects.

This is for Sophie

and everyone else who liked it.

and i also want to say that i'm sorry for not commenting that much lately, because time has decided to become smaller, and i have to prioritize. But it will grow again soon, and until then, i think you are all most amazing, and i love you all, and thank you for being so nice as to comment and favorite and such xoxoxo

For the railroads, the holidays see high demand in rail traffic, thus running more trains and prioritizing trains more than others. A good example of this is UP’s southbound I-5 corridor stack train as during the holidays it becomes high priority. Though usually running under IBRLC (or during 2023 ISELC) the I symbol gets changed to a Z, which identifies the train as high priority. Seeing this train, it was clear that they were high priority as they wasted no time getting to Los Angeles, keeping themselves right on the edge of the speed limit. Soon after the holidays, the symbol would revert back to an I train until the next holiday season.

Caught this amazing moment in Vietnam of a street seller flashing a big smile at the camera. It's a beautiful reminder of the warmth and hospitality of the people in this country.

Vietnam is a place of incredible contrasts and contradictions. It's a country that has experienced so much turmoil and hardship, yet the people remain resilient and optimistic. They have a strong sense of community and are quick to welcome outsiders with open arms.

It's interesting to think about the differences between the Western mentality and the Vietnamese way of life. In the West, we often prioritize individualism and personal success, whereas in Vietnam, the focus is on the collective and the community. This is reflected in the warmth and generosity of the people, who are always willing to lend a helping hand.

As I reflect on this photo, I am reminded of the importance of community and the power of a simple smile to bridge cultural divides.

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. A small stretch of Brooklyn in February 2021 showed 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.

Tokyo’s Marunouchi Line is one of Japan’s oldest and busiest subway routes, linking major commercial and governmental districts through a network that dates back to 1954. This view shows the Series 2000 rolling stock, a modernized fleet introduced by Tokyo Metro beginning in 2019 to replace aging Series 02 cars.

The trains feature energy-efficient LED lighting, regenerative braking, and improved accessibility through wider doorways and level boarding. Their bright yellow exterior, trimmed with red and blue stripes, preserves the line’s traditional color while emphasizing the sleek, minimalist design typical of contemporary Japanese transit engineering.

Inside, the cabin layout prioritizes capacity and passenger flow, with longitudinal bench seating covered in patterned orange upholstery and overhead digital route displays in both Japanese and English. The Marunouchi Line operates on a 1,500 V DC overhead catenary and runs entirely underground except for a brief surface section near Nakano-Sakaue, connecting Ikebukuro to Ogikubo over a 24.2-kilometer route that handles hundreds of thousands of passengers daily.

Saturday night cruising in Paprihaven. At Rummy's Freight and Repair,* a special customer arrived a few days ago. None other than John Neverjohnnie,** the fabulously wealthy and famous Paprihaven bowling pins magnate, brought in his Formula GT Roadster with the passenger side damaged*** from the now infamous 'Invader Incident'.****

He now returns to inspect the work, accompanied by the superbly stately Midge Myrtle.

"There you go, Mr. Neverjohnnie."

"Fine work, Rummy. Just as I hoped."

"Like we said, we had to use our LikeStock® fabricator for the initial build and then, since we were using your car as the model, we worked out some imperfections that had already been there. She's factory spec."

"Indeed. As agreed, triple the bill. I appreciate your prioritization and fast work."

"Thank you, Mister Neverjohnnie. We're always grateful for your business. Watch out for those custom rigs."

"Hah! He couldn't get it out of impound so I bought it."

"You going to drive it??"

"No, just to keep it off the streets."

__________________________

A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.

New-Ray Toys

Warehouse

Mijo

American Diorama

Hot Wheels Crack Ups

Basher II

Stamper 2-Pack

1984, Hong Kong

Mattel

M2 Machines Model Kit

Release 33

Holley 1971 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396

2017, China

Hot Wheels Crack Ups from the way-out astounding collection of the stellar Andrew P. Yanchus!

StarRunn

* First seen back in BP 2020 Day 172!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/50024685612/

** John Neverjohnnie first seen back in BP 2021 Day 170!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/51258211639/

*** The Invader, as seen last week!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/52725306907/

**** Their work on the Camaro SS began in BP 2023 Day 28!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/52654830813/

As a photographer who prioritizes capturing uplifting, hopeful images, it’s really difficult for me to photograph images with any semblance of decay or destruction, but as the sun was setting and casting interesting shadows on these wildfire devastated trees in the El Dorado National Forest, I experienced a profound respect for the life and death they endured. Minimal post-processing was required to convey the reverent mood I was seeking in these images, primarily relying upon Adobe Lightroom’s latest color grading panel, which really has a profound impact on the mood of an image using slight color adjustments in the highlights, shadows and midtones.

www.optimalfocusphotography.com