My yard juncos are very well fed.

Male Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)

Garland, Texas

My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com

©Jim Cooper

a7s + Olympus OM Auto-W 24/2.0

British Transport Police

Roof Code: C607

Role: Incident Response Vehicle

Make: Ford Kuga

===================================

Roof Code: C41

Role: Cell Van

Make: Vauxhall Vivaro

Wien - Donau City

Mischek Tower

Donau City, or Vienna DC, is a new part of Vienna's 22nd District Donaustadt, next to both the Reichsbrücke and the left bank of the Danube's 21.1 km new channel, Neue Donau.

Construction work for the first building on this site, the Andromeda Tower, started in 1996.

Although the Danube river has been inextricably connected with Vienna, for centuries, it had played only a subordinate role in the city of Vienna.

Unlike in many other cities, the Danube River, because of the numerous floods it regularly caused, was omitted from the urban area. Buildings grew up in Vienna on both sides of the Danube - but not up to the Danube. Only after extensive flood-control engineering and the creation of the New Danube relief channel, with Danube Island, in the 1970s, was the surrounding cityscape of the Danube of interest to builders.

The establishment of Donau City had its origins in the organization of the Vienna International Garden Festival in 1964. This was on a site of a former landfill, later superficially rehabilitated, in an area between the Old Danube and the New Danube.

In 1962, the construction of the Danube Tower began, and two years later, the Garden Festival was held. The site of the garden show was known as Donaupark. Not far from Donaupark, in 1967, the planning of the UNO-City was started, opened in 1979. Through the construction of the U1 and the Reichsbruecke (Empire Bridge), the UN-City had a high-ranking access to the traffic system.

The terrain gained increasing importance with the opening of the congress center Austria Center Vienna in 1987. Next, at the end of the 1980s, there were plans to hold a Vienna-Budapest EXPO along the northern bank of the Danube in Vienna. However, the planned EXPO 1995 was canceled because a majority of Viennese voters rejected it in a referendum on the project. The site was then developed for a subsequent use as a multifunctional district.

In 1991, the EXPO organizing corporation was succeeded by the Vienna Danube Region Development Corporation (WED), with major Austrian banks and insurance companies (BA-CA, Erste Bank, Raiffeisen Bank for Labor and Economy, Invest Bank AG, UNIQA, Wiener Städtische) as principal shareholders.[2] WED owns the area and is responsible for its overall development. Within a few years, the district became a second urban center in Vienna, with residential and office buildings, research facilities, recreational facilities and event locations.

Work on the construction of infrastructure for future use began in 1993. The Danube Bank Motorway (A22) was roofed over, providing more area. The foundation for the first building was completed in 1995, with the start of construction of the Andromeda Tower.

The total area is 17.4 hectares. Of this total, approximately 1.7 million cubic meters are used for construction, which represents a gross floor area of approximately 500,000 square meters. Nearly two-thirds of those buildings are already completed and utilized.

Following the cancellation of the EXPO in 1991 was then still in the undeveloped area within a few years, an urban centre with residential and office buildings, research facilities, recreational facilities and event locations, the Donau City.

The Donau City development concept is a broad mix of uses: office and commercial uses, up to 70 percent, residential use of about 20 percent, and cultural and Freitzeiteinrichtungen of approximately 10 percent.

Approximately 7,500 people currently live and work in this new "city within a city". With the overall expansion, which is expected to be completed in 2012, the population could increase to 15,000. International companies such as IBM, sanofi-aventis and Bauholding Strabag SE are also located in Donau City. Also established are well-known high-tech companies that deal with their employees and scientific institutions in Vienna's first Science and Technology Park, Tech Gate Vienna.

In addition to the above institutions, Donau City has stores, restaurants, cafes, offices, a school and a church. The area bordering the Danube Island has recreation areas, Donaupark and Old Danube. Donau City has two direct connections to the motorway network, and the Vienna International Airport is about 20 minutes away.

(Wikipedia)

Die Donau City ist ein ab 1996 neu errichteter Stadtteil im 22. Wiener Gemeindebezirk, Donaustadt. Sie liegt unmittelbar neben der Reichsbrücke und ist das stadtzentrumsnächste Viertel am linken Donauufer.

Die Donau ist untrennbar mit der Geschichte Wiens verbunden, verlief aber jahrhundertelang außerhalb der Stadt und fungierte als Verkehrsweg ebenso wie als Verkehrshindernis. Die zahlreichen Überschwemmungen des unregulierten Stromes ließen es nicht geraten erscheinen, wichtige Gebäude direkt am Wasser, in den flachen Donauauen oder auf den vom Strom gebildeten Inseln zu errichten. Brücken bestanden zumeist aus Holz und mussten nach Hochwässern nicht selten neu errichtet werden.

Die Donauregulierung von 1870 bis 1875 machte das Areal der Donau City durch den neu angelegten Hubertusdamm, der parallel zum neuen Hauptstrom das Hinterland vom Überschwemmungsgebiet abgrenzte, hochwassersicher. Der bisherige Hauptstrom wurde zum stehenden Gewässer, Alte Donau genannt. Auf dem Areal befanden sich aber ein Altarm, das südlich der Wagramer Straße bis heute bestehende Kaiserwasser, und Aulandschaften, die als Bauland vorerst nicht gefragt waren. 1935 erwarb die Stadt Wien dieses Auland vom Stift Klosterneuburg. Teile des Areals dienten zwischen den Weltkriegen und danach als Mistablagerungsstätte, andere Teile wurden mit Schrebergärten besiedelt. Die schlechte Bauqualität der in Notzeiten errichteten Hütten führte zum Namen Bretteldorf. Die Pachtverträge der rund 1000 Einwohner dieses Gebietes wurden von der Stadt bis in die 1960er Jahre nach und nach gekündigt. Im Gegenzug erweiterte diese die Mülldeponie.

Die Freimachung des Geländes (die frühere Deponie wurde nur oberflächlich saniert) und die Abhaltung der Wiener Internationalen Gartenschau 1964 (WIG 64) auf einem Teil des Areals bildeten die Initialzündung für alle weiteren städtebaulichen Investitionen. Der ab 1962 errichtete Donauturm wurde zum Wahrzeichen der Gegend; das Gartenschaugelände blieb als sogenannter Donaupark großteils bis heute erhalten. Für den Geländestreifen entlang der Wagramer Straße, der wichtigsten Ausfallstraße Wiens nach Nordosten, wurde städtische Bebauung geplant, ohne dass damals bereits konkrete Projekte vorgelegen wären.

Dies änderte sich, als Österreich 1967 den Vereinten Nationen (UNO) ein Amtssitzzentrum in Wien versprach. Das sogenannte Vienna International Centre (VIC), Teil der UNO-City, wurde schließlich ab 1973 zwischen dem verkleinerten Donaupark und der Wagramer Straße errichtet und im August 1979 eröffnet. Die Bauten des VIC gaben größenmäßig einen neuen, großstädtischen Maßstab für ihre Umgebung vor, die bis dahin Stadtrandcharakter hatte.

Der Einsturz der zweiten Reichsbrücke 1976 sollte eine zusätzliche Aufwertung des Areals bedeuten. In den Hohlkasten der bis 1980 wiedererrichteten Brücke wurde nun auch eine U-Bahn-Trasse eingeplant. Die Linie U1 erreichte somit bereits im Jahr 1982 – früher als ursprünglich geplant – das nördliche Donauufer. Über die Station Kaisermühlen – Vienna International Centre ist das Stadtzentrum seither in wenigen Minuten erreichbar. 1972–1988 wurde die Donau im Raum Wien neuerlich reguliert, um verbliebene Hochwassergefahren zu beseitigen. Neben dem Areal der heutigen Donau City entstanden dabei, parallel zum Hauptstrom, die Neue Donau, ein zumeist stehendes Gewässer, das sich für Freizeitnutzung eignete, und die Donauinsel zwischen Neuer Donau und Hauptstrom, die nach Entscheid der Stadtverwaltung nicht verbaut, sondern ebenfalls für Freizeitnutzung bereitstehen sollte. 1987 wurde als zweiter Teil der UNO-City neben dem Vienna International Centre (VIC) das von Staat und Stadtverwaltung finanzierte Kongresszentrum Austria Center Vienna (ACV) eröffnet.

Ende der achtziger Jahre erwog Wien gemeinsam mit Budapest im Jahr 1995 eine Weltausstellung auszurichten. Am 14. Dezember 1989 erhielt man für dieses Vorhaben den Zuschlag. Die Expo 95 sollte demnach von 29. April bis 26. Oktober 1995 stattfinden. Als Ausstellungsgelände wurde der Bereich „Donauraum – Konferenzzentrum“ (ca. 50 ha) definiert. Die Nachnutzung des damals noch kontaminierten und alluvialen Stück Lands wurde als entscheidender Faktor der Expo-Planung bestimmt. Das Gelände sollte im Anschluss an die Weltausstellung gänzlich in die gegebene Stadtstruktur integriert werden. Am 30. März 1990 wurde hierfür ein Leitprogramm für die städtebauliche Entwicklung beschlossen. Die Gestaltung des Ausstellungsgeländes sollte dabei auf Grundlage eines von der (1989 gegründeten) Expo-Vienna AG ausgelobten Architektenwettbewerbs erfolgen. Auf temporäre Bauten größeren Ausmaßes sollte verzichtet werden. Der Wettbewerb „Bebauungs- und Gestaltungskonzepte EXPO 95 in Wien und Nachnutzung“ wurde bis Ende 1990 abgehalten. Teilnahmeberechtigt waren Architekten aus Österreich und Ungarn, sowie ausgewählte internationale Büros. Weiters wurden auch Studierende eingeladen sich zu beteiligen. Aus insgesamt 84 Projekten (65 von Architekten und 19 von Absolventen) wurde jenes von Sepp Frank und Rudolf Zabrana ausgewählt. Entgegen ursprünglicher Pläne die einstige Deponie mit einer Platte zu versiegeln, wurde diese schlussendlich vollständig ausgehoben. Diese Begleitmaßnahme der Expo-Vorbereitungen umfasste einen Aushub von insgesamt rund 965.000 Tonnen Material, davon 240.000 Tonnen Hausmüll aus der Nachkriegszeit bis 1963/64. Im Zuge einer aus politischen Gründen durchgeführten Volksbefragung vom 14. bis 16. Mai 1991 sprachen sich 64.85 % der Befragten jedoch gegen die Abhaltung der Expo aus; ungeachtet breiter Unterstützung durch Politik, Medien und Wirtschaftskreise. In Folge dessen zog die Republik Österreich die Bewerbung für den Standort Wien in der Generalversammlung des BIE am 5. Juni 1991 wieder zurück.

Nach Absage der Expo war man bestrebt das ungenutzte, aber bereits im Umbau befindliche Areal weiter baureif zu machen und zu entwickeln. Hierfür wurde noch 1991 die Auffanggesellschaft WED Wiener Entwicklungsgesellschaft für den Donauraum AG gegründet. [3] Anfang der neunziger Jahre wurden daraufhin die Architekten Adolf Krischanitz und Heinz Neumann mit einem Masterplan für einen neuen, multifunktionalen Stadtteil auf dem freien Areal (das vom ursprünglich größeren Donaupark abgetrennt wurde) zwischen VIC, ACV und Hubertusdamm bzw. Neuer Donau beauftragt. Die WED wählte dafür den Namen Donau City. Bereits im Zuge der Planungen für die Weltausstellung wurde erwogen, die Donauufer Autobahn A 22 im Bereich des VIC zu Überplatten; auch im Hinblick auf eine spätere Nachnutzung des Geländes. An diesem Vorhaben wurde festgehalten und die Autobahn bis 1996 schlussendlich auf einem Abschnitt von 2.150 m überplattet. Der dadurch entstandene Tunnel Kaisermühlen ist heute die am meisten befahrene Tunnelanlage Österreichs. Die Überdeckung der Donauufer Autobahn wurde gleichsam als Fundament für eine künftige Bebauung konzipiert. Dafür wurde über dem Fahrraum des Tunnels ein 2,20 Meter hoher Hohlkasten ausgebildet, der beispielsweise Kellerabteile und Technikräume künftiger Neubauten aufnehmen kann. Die für den Autobahnbetrieb erforderlichen technischen Anlagen sind hingegen vorrangig in seitlichen Kollektoren angesiedelt.

Um die nun entstandenen enormen Niveauunterschiede (nach Aushub der einstigen Deponie lag der gewachsene Boden neun Meter unter dem Niveau der Umgebung) auszugleichen, wurde auch der neue Stadtteil durch eine solche Überbauung (die sogenannte Donauplatte) charakterisiert. Für den Auto- und Fußgängerverkehr sind dabei unterschiedliche Ebenen vorgesehen. 1993 wurde mit der Errichtung der Infrastruktur für die kommende Nutzung begonnen. Der Grundstein für das erste Gebäude, den Andromeda-Tower, wurde 1995 gelegt. Als technische Voraussetzung für die Haupterschließung des Areals wurde 1996 ein – parallel zur Autobahn verlaufendes – Verteilerbauwerk fertiggestellt, welches alle Bauplätze erschließt. Das Ebenenkonzept hat bis heute Bestand, der ursprüngliche Masterplan wurde jedoch nicht weiter umgesetzt. Nach Fertigstellung von knapp zwei Drittel der Gesamtplanung wurden hier bis 2005 ca. 1,7 Millionen Kubikmeter verbaut; das entspricht einer Bruttogeschoßfläche von rund 500.000 Quadratmetern.

Im Jahr 2002 ließ die WED dann einen internationalen Gestaltungswettbewerb für den letzten zu entwickelnden Abschnitt ausschreiben. Den Zuschlag in diesem Gutachterverfahren erhielt der Architekt Dominique Perrault aus Paris. Im Anschluss wurde er mit der Erstellung eines Masterplans für das Gebiet beauftragt. Basierend auf diesen Plänen wurde ein städtebauliches Leitbild entworfen und am 1. Juli 2004 vom Gemeinderat beschlossen. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Projekten am Standort, wurde hier eine gemischte Nutzung vorgeschrieben. Perrault konzipierte als „Brückenkopf“ die beiden DC Towers als gebautes Eingangstor für den Stadtteil.

Nach Eröffnung von Turm 1 im Februar 2014, sollen in den kommenden Jahren die drei Hochhaustürme Danube Flats, DC Tower 2 und DC Tower 3 die Skyline vervollständigen. Der Zeithorizont für diese Bauvorhaben wurde in den letzten Jahren jedoch stets verschoben. Der Uferbereich war in den 1980er Jahren unter dem Namen „Copa Cagrana“ bekannt geworden und wird mittlerweile als „Copa Beach“ vermarktet.

(Wikipedia)

Der Mischek Tower ist ein Wohngebäude im 22. Wiener Gemeindebezirk Donaustadt.

Das Gebäude wurde von 1998 bis 2000 nach Entwürfen des Architekten-Ehepaars Delugan-Meissl von der als Generalunternehmer agierenden Baufirma Mischek im Auftrag des Bauträgers Wiener Heim errichtet. Das 110 Meter hohe Bauwerk war bis zur Fertigstellung des Hochhauses Neue Donau im Jahr 2002 das höchste Wohngebäude Österreichs. Errichtet aus Betonfertigteilen gilt der Mischek Tower mit seinen 35 Stockwerken (ab Niveau Donauplatte, das Straßenniveau befindet sich auf Ebene −3) als das höchste Fertigteilhaus der Welt.

Gelegen am Rand der Donau City zwischen Donaupark und Austria Center Vienna dient der Riegel-förmige Bau optisch als Abgrenzung von Stadt zu Park. Neben dem eigentlichen Hochhaus gibt es zwei weitere Gebäudeteile mit jeweils 9 Stockwerken. Zur Donau hin grenzt unmittelbar an den Gebäudeteil Stiege 3 südlich ein Wohngebäude des Wohnparks Donaucity an.

Das Gebäude steht im Eigentum der Käufer der etwa 500 zum größten Teil durch das Land Wien geförderten Wohnungen.

(Wikipedia)

From my recent shoot with Nicolette and Andy Virus. Both such good sports!

Blue

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catch up soon please! step Watch your step baby baby adorable computer turn on computer type need type your password attention have your attention draw draw this film That film absolutely mind-blowing Republican Republican candidate tree That tree has been there generations source are source strength red I’ll wear red dress tonight nearly nearly died that accident! organization Their organization doing great things street kids choose Let choose color cause have see cause effect this experiment hair I’ll cut hair short change look look at items bought point point all this century We’re living 21st century Mary evidence evidence clearly shows that guilty window I’ll buy window curtains next week difficult Sometimes life difficult listen have listen your teacher soon launch course soon culture hope they understand culture better billion target have 1 billion dollars account by end year chance there chance that this brother brother always have back energy Now put that energy into walking period They covered period twenty years course Have seen course already summer I’ll go beach summer less Sometimes less more realize just realize that have meeting today hundred have hundred dollars that lend available am available work on your project plant Plant seed likely It was likely deer trail opportunity It was perfect opportunity test theory term I’m sure there’s Latin term it short It was just short stay at hotel letter already passed letter intent condition know condition am choice have no choice place Let’s meet out at meeting place single am single parent rule It’s rule law daughter knows how read now administration take this up with administration south am headed south husband just bought ring birthday Congress It debated at Congress floor She floor manager campaign handled their election campaign material She had nothing material report population population nearest big city was growing well wish well call am going call bank economy economy booming medical -She needs medical assistance hospital I’ll take nearest hospital church saw church last Sunday close -Please close door thousand There are thousand reasons learn English! risk Taking risk rewarding current your current address fire Make sure your smoke alarm works case fire future -The future full hope wrong That wrong answer involve need involve police defense your defense or reason did this anyone Does anyone know answer increase Let’s increase your test score security Some apartment buildings have security bank need go bank withdraw some money myself clean up by myself certainly certainly help clean up west drive West arrive California sport favorite sport soccer board see board seek Seek find per Lobster $20 per pound subject favorite subject English! officer Where find police officer private This private party rest Let’s take 15 minute rest behavior This dog’s behavior excellent deal used car good deal performance Your performance affected by your sleep fight don’t fight with throw German ball! top are top student quickly Let’s finish reading this quickly past past English was as good as it today goal speak English fluently second second goal increase confidence bed go bed around 10pm order would like order book author author this series world-famous fill need fill (up) gas tank represent represent family focus Turn off your phone TV focus on your studies! foreign It’s great having foreign friends drop don’t drop eggs! plan Let’s make plan blood hospital needs people give blood upon Once upon time princess lived castle agency Let’s contract agency help with marketing push door says ‘push ’ ‘pull ' nature love walking nature! colou color blue no ‘No’ one shortest complete sentences recently cleaned bathroom most recently think it’s your turn this time store I’m going store buy some bread reduce reuse recycle are ways help environment sound like sound wind chimes note take notes during lesson fine movie let’s buy popcorn! near Near far wherever are believe that heart goes on movement environmental movement international movement page turn page 62 enter enter building on left share Let share idea than Ice cream has more calories than water common Most people find something common with each other poor had poor harvest this year because it was dry other This pen doesn’t work try other one natural This cleaner natural there aren’t chemicals it race watched car race on TV concern Thank your concern but I’m fine series your favorite TV series significant job earns significant amount money similar These earrings don’t match but they are similar hot Don’t touch stove it’s still hot language Learning new language fun each Put flower each vase usually usually shop at corner store response didn’t expect response come soon dead phone dead let charge it rise sun rise at 7:00 a m animal kind animal that factor Heredity factor your overall health decade I’ve lived this city over decade article Did read that newspaper article shoot wants shoot arrows at target east Drive east three miles save save all cans recycling seven There are seven slices pie left artist Taylor Swift recording artist away wish that mosquito would go away scene painted colorful street scene stock That shop has good stock postcards career Retail sales good career some people despite Despite rain still have picnic central There good shopping central London eight That recipe takes eight cups flour thus haven’t had problems thus far treatment propose treatment plan your injury beyond town just beyond those mountains happy Kittens make happy exactly Use exactly one teaspoon salt that recipe protect coat protect from cold weather approach cat slowly approached bird lie Teach your children lie size size that shirt dog think dog good pet fund have savings fund college serious She serious she never laughs occur Strange things occur that empty house media That issue has been discussed media ready Are ready leave work sign That store needs bigger sign thought I’ll have give it some thought list made list things do individual buy individual or group membership simple appliance comes with simple instructions quality paid little more quality shoes pressure There no pressure finish right now accept accept credit card answer Give your answer by noon tomorrow hard That test was very hard resource library has many online resources identify can’t identify that plant left door on your left as approach meeting We’ll have staff meeting after lunch determine Eye color genetically determined prepare I’ll prepare breakfast tomorrow disease Face masks help prevent disease whatever Choose whatever flavor like best success Failure back door success argue It’s good idea argue with your boss cup Would like cup coffee particularly It’s particularly hot outside just warm amount It take large amount food feed elephant ability has ability explain things well staff There are five people on staff here recognize recognize person this photo indicate reply indicated that she understood character trust people good character growth company has seen strong growth this quarter loss farmer suffered heavy losses after storm degree Set oven 300 degrees wonder wonder Bulls win game attack army attack at dawn herself She bought herself new coat region internet services are your region television don’t watch much television box packed dishes strong box TV There good movie on TV tonight training company pay your training pretty That pretty dress trade stock market traded lower today deal got good deal at store election Who think win election everybody likes ice cream physical Keep physical distance six feet lay baby crib general impression restaurant was good feeling have good feeling about this standard standard fee $10 00 bill electrician send bill message have text message on your phone fail fail see funny about that outside cat goes outside sometimes arrive When your plane arrive analysis I’ll give analysis when I’ve seen everything benefit There are many health benefits quinoa name What’s your name sex know sex your baby yet forward Move car forward few feet lawyer legal helped write present everyone present meeting begin section stadium are sitting environmental science economy politics political politician issues are news glass much heavier than plastic answer Could answer question skill best skill woodworking sister lives close PM movie starts at 7:30 PM professor Dr Smith professor operation mining operation employs thousands people financial keep accounts at financial institution crime police fight crime stage caterpillar larval stage butterfly ok Would it ok eat out tonight compare should compare cars before buy one authority City authorities make local laws miss you when see again design need design new logo sort Let’s sort these beads according color one only have one cat act I’ll act on your information today ten baby counted ten toes knowledge have knowledge fix that gun Gun ownership controversial topic station There train station close house blue favorite color blue state After accident was state shock strategy new corporate strategy written here little prefer little cars clearly instructions clearly written discuss We’ll discuss that at meeting indeed Your mother does indeed have hearing loss force It takes lot force open that door truth tell truth song That’s beautiful song example need example that grammar point democratic Does Australia have democratic government check check work sure it’s correct environment live healthy environment leg boy broke leg dark Turn on light it’s dark here public Masks must worn public places various That rug comes various shades gray rather Would rather have hamburger than hot dog laugh That movie always makes laugh guess don’t know just guess executive company’s executives are paid well set Set glass on table study needs study test prove employee proved worth hang hang your coat on hook entire ate entire meal 10 minutes rock There are decorative rocks garden design windows don’t open by design enough Have had enough coffee forget Don’t forget stop at store since She hasn’t eaten since yesterday claim made insurance claim car accident note Leave note you’re going late remove Remove cookies from oven manager manager look at your application help Could help move this table close Close door sound dog did make sound enjoy enjoy soda network Band name internet network legal legal documents need signed religious She very religious she attends church weekly cold feet are cold form fill out this application form final divorce was final last month main main problem lack money science studies health science at university green grass green memory has good memory card They sent card birthday above Look on shelf above sink seat That’s comfortable seat cell Your body made millions cells establish They established their business 1942 nice That’s very nice car trial They are employing on trial basis expert Matt IT expert that Did see that movie spring Spring most beautiful season firm ‘no was very firm she won’t change mind Democrat Democrats control Senate radio listen radio car visit visited museum today management That store has good management care She cares mother at home avoid should avoid poison ivy imagine imagine pigs could fly tonight Would like go out tonight huge That truck huge! ball threw ball dog no said ‘no ’ don’t ask again close Close window finish Did finish your homework yourself gave yourself haircut talk talks lot theory theory that’s good plan impact drought had big impact on crops respond hasn’t responded text yet statement police chief gave statement media maintain Exercise helps maintain healthy weight charge need charge phone popular That’s popular restaurant traditional They serve traditional Italian food there onto Jump onto boat we’ll go fishing reveal Washing off dirt revealed boy’s skinned knee direction direction city from here weapon No weapons are allowed government buildings employee That store only has three employees cultural There cultural significance those old ruins contain carton contains dozen egges peace World leaders gathered peace talks head head hurts control Keep control car base glass has heavy base it won’t fall over pain have chest pain apply Maria applied job play children play at park measure Measure twice cut once wide doorway was very wide shake Don’t shake soda fly fly France next year interview job interview went well manage Did manage find keys chair table has six matching chairs fish don’t enjoy eating fish particular That particular style looks good on camera use camera on phone structure building’s structure solid politics Mitch very active politics perform singer perform tonight bit It rained little bit last night weight Keep track your pet’s weight suddenly storm came up suddenly discover You’ll discover treasures at that thrift store candidate There are ten candidates position top flag flies on top that building production Factory production has improved over summer treat Give yourself treat job well done trip are taking trip Florida January evening I’m staying home this evening affect bank account affect how much buy inside cat stays inside conference There expert presenters at conference unit foot unit measure best Those are best glasses buy style dress out style adult Adults pay full price but children are free worry Don’t worry about tomorrow range doctor offered range options mention mention your story rather Rather than focusing on bad things let’s grateful good things far don’t move far from family deep That poem about life deep front face front edge stand close edge cliff individual These potato chips are individual serving size package specific Could more specific writer are good writer trouble Stay out trouble necessary It necessary sleep throughout Throughout life have always enjoyed reading challenge challenge better fear have fears shoulder have shoulder all work on your own institution Have attended institution higher learning middle am middle child with one older brother one younger sister sea sail seven seas dream have dream bar bar place where alcohol served beautiful are beautiful property own property like house instead Instead eating cake have fruit improve am always looking ways improve stuff When moved realized have lot stuff! claim claim fast reader but actually am average

At a crossroads – Needing to make an important decision

When you are at a crossroads, you are at a point in your life where you need to make a decision. The implication is that the decision you make will have big, life-altering consequences.

Bad apple – Bad person

You can use this idiom to describe someone who is not nice and maybe even criminal.

Barking up the wrong tree – Pursuing the wrong course

When you “bark up the wrong tree” you are pursuing the wrong solution to your problems.

Be closefisted – Stingy

If you are being “closefisted”, you don’t want to spend a lot of money.

Be cold-hearted – Uncaring

If you decide to be “cold-hearted”, you are making a deliberate decision not to care about someone or something.

Be on solid ground – Confident

When you are “on solid ground”, you are confident in your position or feel that you are safe.

Beat around the bush – Avoid saying

When you do this, you are taking a long time to say what you really need to say. You may be doing this because the “truth” is embarrassing or your unsure about how the listener will take it.

Behind you – Supportive

When you are “behind” someone, you are saying that they have your support.

Between a rock and a hard place – Facing difficulties

When you have to choose between two options, neither of which are ideal or “good”.

Blow off steam – Try to relax

When you are stressed or upset about something, sometimes you need to do something to keep you from thinking about it.

Born with a silver spoon in their mouth – Born wealthy

This idiomatic expression is used to describe someone who was born into a wealthy family.

Break the bank – Spend a lot

When you “break the bank”, you spend a lot of money on something. If something will “break the bank”, then it’s expensive.

Bright spark – Smart

A “bright spark” is someone who is smart and valuable to an organization.

Build a case – Argue your point

When you “build a case” for something, you are preparing to argue a point or convince someone that your opinion is the right one.

Build castles in the sky – Daydream

When you fantasize about something you hope to have or achieve.

Burn your bridges – End a relationship

When you “burn your bridges” you end a relationship permanently.

Butter up – Flatter

When you “butter” someone up, you are telling them nice things about themselves.

Bought a lemon – Bad bargain

If something you bought is a “lemon” it is a bad product. In a sense, you wasted your money on it.

Break the ice – Start a conversation

When you start a conversation strangers with the end goal of making new friends.

Calm before the storm – Peaceful

When you use this to describe your state of being or mind, you’re talking about a quiet period before anticipated trouble comes your way.

Chasing rainbows – Pursuing dreams

When you try to follow your dreams. The implication here, however, is that you might be better off forgetting your dreams.

Clear as mud – Hard to understand

When you are confused about something or a situation.

Cool as a cucumber – Calm

This idiomatic expression is meant to describe someone who is calm and relaxed.

Couch potato – Lazy

A couch potato is a lazy person. Specifically, someone who sprawls on their couch watching TV almost all day.

Cross that bridge when we get to it – Think about it later

When you say this, you are telling someone that you will think about something later. The implication is that it’s a problem or a decision that can be put off for now.

Chew it over – Think had about something

This idiom implies that you need to make an important decision and can’t afford to be hasty about it.

Come to light – Be revealed

When something “comes to light” something that was originally concealed from you is revealed.

Cut back on – Reduce

When you use this idiom, you are reducing something.

Cut to the chase – Speak concisely

When you tell someone to “cut to the chase”, you are expressing impatience. This is usually used when someone feels someone else is taking to long to deliver important news.

Crystal clear – Easy to understand

When you say that something is “crystal clear”, you are saying that it is understood.

Dead-end job – No more opportunities

When you are stuck in a “dead-end job”, you are in a career situation where there is no more room for advancement.

Dig deep – Strive

When you “dig deep” you put a lot of effort into a task.

Digging into – Looking closer

When you “dig into” something, you are looking for more information.

Don’t run before you can walk – Don’t assume something is easy

This is a descriptive idiom, it’s meant to make you think about how a baby needs to learn how to walk before they can run. It’s supposed to caution you about assuming you can just do something without learning the basics.

Down to earth – Practical

This describes someone who is known for being sensible and practical.

Eat like a bird – Small appetite

This is used to describe someone who doesn’t eat a lot.

Eat like a horse – Eat a lot

If you eat like a horse, you are eating a lot. You can “eat like a bird” most of the time but “eat like a horse” at a specific time because you are either very hungry or you really like the food.

Eat your words – Admit you were wrong

When you “eat your words” you are admitting that something you said earlier turned out to be wrong.

Every cloud has a silver lining – Things will get better

When you say this, you are telling yourself or someone else that you will get through your troubles.

Face the music – Face the consequences

When you “face the music”, you are owning up to a mistake and trying to make amends.

Find your feet – Adapt

When you are “finding your feet” you are learning how to adapt to a new situation, like a new job.

Follow in their footsteps – Imitate

This idiom is often used between children and their parents, but it can also refer to a mentor or someone you admire. If you “follow in someone’s footsteps”, you do the same thing that they did.

Food for thought – Something to think about

If you are given “food for thought” you have been given something to think about.

A frosty reception – To be unwelcome

If you received a “frosty reception”, you are not welcome.

Fly off the handle – Rages

You can use this idiom to describe someone who is visibly angry over a situation. Often this means that someone is shouting and maybe gesturing violently and even causing damage to property. It also implies that the angry reaction is disproportionate to the situation.

Get on with your life – Continue on after a setback

This is something you can say and should do after going through some problems.

Give them a run for their money – Compete

If you are competing with someone, you are giving them a “run for their money.”

Go Dutch – Split the bill

You can use this idiomatic expression when dining out with friends.

Go with the flow – Relax and get along

When you “go with the flow” you keep calm and just go along with whatever is happening around you.

Got off scot-free – Escaped

When you “get off scot-free”, you managed to escape any consequences for your actions.

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Hard to swallow – Unbelievable

If someone told you something that you just can’t believe, they told you something that is “hard to swallow”.

Have your whole life in front of you – Young

Someone who has their whole life in front of them is young and full of promise.

Hold out an olive branch – Apologize

When you do this, you try to make amends or peace with someone you’ve hurt or angered.

In hot water – In trouble

This idiomatic expression can be used to say that you are in a less than ideal situation.

Inching forward - Making slow progress

When you say this, you’re saying things are proceeding slowly.

Keep on the straight and narrow – Keep out of trouble

When you say this, you are implying that you are going to live in a morally correct way.

Keep your chin up – Stay positive

Even if you’re going through a hard time, you should keep thinking positive.

Kicked the bucket – Died

This is an irreverent phrase to say that someone has died. Be careful how you use it.

Let the cat out of the bag – Spoiled the secret

You “let the cat out of the bag” when you accidentally let someone in on a secret that they weren’t meant to know.

Look up to – Respect

When you “look up to” someone you are acknowledging that you respect them and value their opinion.

Loaded – Rich

When you call someone “loaded” you are saying that they are rich.

Lost at sea – Confused

If a situation is making you feel confused or lost, this is the idiom to use.

Making ends meet – Careful budgeting

If you. don’t have much money, you need to “make ends meet”. This means you carefully budget what you do have to meet your needs.

Make a mountain out of a molehill –Exaggerate

This idiom is used to say that someone is being over-dramatic with their complaints or concerns.

Make waves – Change things

When you “make waves”, you change a situation dramatically. This can also mean that you caused trouble.

Nip in the bud – Stop

When you do this, you take action to keep a situation from getting worse.

No sweat – Easy

When you say “no sweat” you are saying that a task was easy

Not your cup of tea – Not something you like

If you say that something is “not your cup of tea” you are saying it’s not something you particularly like or enjoy.

Once in a blue moon – Rare

This implies something that either won’t happen or rarely happens.

Out in the open – Public knowledge

When something is “out in the open”, it is a matter of public knowledge.

Over the moon – Very happy

You can use this to describe the feeling of getting something you’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

On cloud nine – Very happy

Similar to being over the moon.

Packed like sardines – Crowded

If people are “packed like sardines” in a venue, they are standing very close together in a small space.

Piece of cake –Easy

If you say something is a “piece of cake” you are saying that it is easy.

Pitch in - Contribute

When you “pitch-in”, you work with a group of people to reach a common goal.

Point of view – An opinion

Your “point of view” is what you think about someone or a situation.

Pony up – Pay

If you are paying back a debt, you are “ponying up” the money.

Pour oil on troubled waters – Calm things down

This basically means that you played peacemaker and kept an argument from developing into a physical fight.

Put your head in the sand – Deny something unpleasant

When you have your “head in the sand”, you are deliberately ignoring a bad situation.

Rags to riches – Became rich

Someone who went from “rags to riches” was born poor or underprivileged, but is now in a better social position.

Rain or shine – No matter what

This idiomatic expression is used to express the idea that nothing will stop you.

Reap the rewards – Received the benefits

When you “reap the rewards”, you are getting the benefits of your good work.

Rings a bell – Sounds familiar

When you think that you’ve heard a piece of information before but are not so sure.

Rule of thumb – General practice

A “rule of thumb” is an unwritten rule that is followed by the majority.

Separate the wheat from the chaff – Decide what is valuable

This picturesque idiom refers to how, when you harvest wheat, you need to separate it from the stalks and leaves. So, it means that you pick out or choose what is valuable to keep.

Shell out money – Pay

When you “shell out money”, you pay for an item.

Sitting on the fence – Neutral

When you “sit on the fence” you are avoiding making a decision. Often, this is a decision between two people with different opinions.

Smart cookie – Smart person

You can use this idiom to describe someone intelligent.

Spice things up – Make things interesting

When you “spice things up” you do something to break out of your normal routine.

Spill the beans – Tell

When you do this, you tell someone something they didn’t know. It may or not have been a secret previously.

Sticky fingers – Thief

If you accuse someone of having “sticky fingers” you are basically calling them a thief.

Take a side – Choose who to support

When you “take a side” in an argument, you are agreeing with one of those arguing.

Throw light on – Explain something

When you “throw light on” a situation, you help make sure that it is understood.

To move at a snail’s pace – Move slowly

This is another idiomatic phrase that’s meant to paint a picture. A snail moves slowly, so to move at its pace means things are going slowly.

Tread carefully – Be cautious

This implies that a situation is fraught and it might be easy to offend those involved.

Under the table – Secretive

When you do something “under the table”, you are trying to do something so that only a small amount of people are aware of it. It’s commonly used to describe something that is possibly unscrupulous. For example, bribes are given “under the table”.

Undermine your position – Act unconvincingly

When you behave in a way that makes you and your opinion seem untrustworthy.

Up in the air – Uncertain

When you say something is “up in the air”, you are saying that you are not sure that an event is happening.

Weather the storm – Survive

When you “weather the storm”, you endure a bad situation.

When it rains, it pours – Trouble comes

This refers to the fact that sometimes, many bad things happen to people at one time.

So there you have it, 10 idiomatic expressions and their meanings. These idioms are used by native English language speakers to add some color to their daily speech.

Google is an American multinational technology company focusing on search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence,[9] and consumer electronics. It has been referred to as "the most powerful company in the world"[10] and one of the world's most valuable brands due to its market dominance, data collection, and technological advantages in the area of artificial intelligence.[11][12][13] Its parent company Alphabet is considered one of the Big Five American information technology companies, alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

Google was founded on September 4, 1998, by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD students at Stanford University in California. Together they own about 14% of its publicly listed shares and control 56% of the stockholder voting power through super-voting stock. The company went public via an initial public offering (IPO) in 2004. In 2015, Google was reorganized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google is Alphabet's largest subsidiary and is a holding company for Alphabet's Internet properties and interests. Sundar Pichai was appointed CEO of Google on October 24, 2015, replacing Larry Page, who became the CEO of Alphabet. On December 3, 2019, Pichai also became the CEO of Alphabet.[14]

The company has since rapidly grown to offer a multitude of products and services beyond Google Search, many of which hold dominant market positions. These products address a wide range of use cases, including email (Gmail), navigation (Waze & Maps), cloud computing (Cloud), web browsing (Chrome), video sharing (YouTube), productivity (Workspace), operating systems (Android), cloud storage (Drive), language translation (Translate), photo storage (Photos), video calling (Meet), smart home (Nest), smartphones (Pixel), wearable technology (Pixel Watch & Fitbit), music streaming (YouTube Music), video on demand (YouTube TV), artificial intelligence (Google Assistant), machine learning APIs (TensorFlow), AI chips (TPU), and more. Discontinued Google products include gaming (Stadia), Glass,[citation needed] Google+, Reader, Play Music, Nexus, Hangouts, and Inbox by Gmail.[15][16]

Google's other ventures outside of Internet services and consumer electronics include quantum computing (Sycamore), self-driving cars (Waymo, formerly the Google Self-Driving Car Project), smart cities (Sidewalk Labs), and transformer models (Google Brain).[17]

Google and YouTube are the two most visited websites worldwide followed by Facebook and Twitter. Google is also the largest search engine, mapping and navigation application, email provider, office suite, video sharing platform, photo and cloud storage provider, mobile operating system, web browser, ML framework, and AI virtual assistant provider in the world as measured by market share. On the list of most valuable brands, Google is ranked second by Forbes[18] and fourth by Interbrand.[19] It has received significant criticism involving issues such as privacy concerns, tax avoidance, censorship, search neutrality, antitrust and abuse of its monopoly position.

In March 1999, the company moved its offices to Palo Alto, California,[52] which is home to several prominent Silicon Valley technology start-ups.[53] The next year, Google began selling advertisements associated with search keywords against Page and Brin's initial opposition toward an advertising-funded search engine.[54][22] To maintain an uncluttered page design, advertisements were solely text-based.[55] In June 2000, it was announced that Google would become the default search engine provider for Yahoo!, one of the most popular websites at the time, replacing Inktomi.

In 2003, after outgrowing two other locations, the company leased an office complex from Silicon Graphics, at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway in Mountain View, California.[59] The complex became known as the Googleplex, a play on the word googolplex, the number one followed by a googol zeroes. Three years later, Google bought the property from SGI for $319 million.[60] By that time, the name "Google" had found its way into everyday language, causing the verb "google" to be added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary, denoted as: "to use the Google search engine to obtain information on the Internet".[61][62] The first use of the verb on television appeared in an October 2002 episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.[63]

Additionally, in 2001 Google's investors felt the need to have a strong internal management, and they agreed to hire Eric Schmidt as the chairman and CEO of Google.[49] Eric was proposed by John Doerr from Kleiner Perkins. He had been trying to find a CEO that Sergey and Larry would accept for several months, but they rejected several candidates because they wanted to retain control over the company. Michael Moritz from Sequoia Capital at one point even menaced requesting Google to immediately pay back Sequoia's $12.5m investment if they did not fulfill their promise to hire a chief executive office, which had been made verbally during investment negotiations. Eric wasn't initially enthusiastic about joining Google either, as the company's full potential hadn't yet been widely recognized at the time, and as he was occupied with his responsibilities at Novell where he was CEO. As part of him joining, Eric agreed to buy $1 million of Google preferred stocks as a way to show his commitment and to provide funds Google needed.

Google generates most of its revenues from advertising. This includes sales of apps, purchases made in-app, digital content products on Google and YouTube, Android and licensing and service fees, including fees received for Google Cloud offerings. Forty-six percent of this profit was from clicks (cost per clicks), amounting to US$109,652 million in 2017. This includes three principal methods, namely AdMob, AdSense (such as AdSense for Content, AdSense for Search, etc.) and DoubleClick AdExchange.

In addition to its own algorithms for understanding search requests, Google uses technology its acquisition of DoubleClick, to project user interest and target advertising to the search context and the user history.

In 2007, Google launched "AdSense for Mobile", taking advantage of the emerging mobile advertising market.

Google Analytics allows website owners to track where and how people use their website, for example by examining click rates for all the links on a page. Google advertisements can be placed on third-party websites in a two-part program. Google Ads allows advertisers to display their advertisements in the Google content network, through a cost-per-click scheme.[138] The sister service, Google AdSense, allows website owners to display these advertisements on their website and earn money every time ads are clicked.[139] One of the criticisms of this program is the possibility of click fraud, which occurs when a person or automated script clicks on advertisements without being interested in the product, causing the advertiser to pay money to Google unduly. Industry reports in 2006 claimed that approximately 14 to 20 percent of clicks were fraudulent or invalid.[140] Google Search Console (rebranded from Google Webmaster Tools in May 2015) allows webmasters to check the sitemap, crawl rate, and for security issues of their websites, as well as optimize their website's visibility.

Consumer services

Web-based services

Google offers Gmail for email, Google Calendar for time-management and scheduling, Google Maps for mapping, navigation and satellite imagery, Google Drive for cloud storage of files, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides for productivity, Google Photos for photo storage and sharing, Google Keep for note-taking, Google Translate for language translation, YouTube for video viewing and sharing, Google My Business for managing public business information, and Duo for social interaction. In March 2019, Google unveiled a cloud gaming service named Stadia. A job search product has also existed since before 2017, Google for Jobs is an enhanced search feature that aggregates listings from job boards and career sites.

Some Google services are not web-based. Google Earth, launched in 2005, allowed users to see high-definition satellite pictures from all over the world for free through a client software downloaded to their computers.

Software

Google develops the Android mobile operating system, as well as its smartwatch, television, car, and Internet of things-enabled smart devices variations.

It also develops the Google Chrome web browser, and Chrome OS, an operating system based on Chrome.

Hardware

In January 2010, Google released Nexus One, the first Android phone under its own brand. It spawned a number of phones and tablets under the "Nexus" branding until its eventual discontinuation in 2016, replaced by a new brand called Pixel.

In 2011, the Chromebook was introduced, which runs on Chrome OS.

In July 2013, Google introduced the Chromecast dongle, which allows users to stream content from their smartphones to televisions.

In June 2014, Google announced Google Cardboard, a simple cardboard viewer that lets user place their smartphone in a special front compartment to view virtual reality (VR) media.

Other hardware products include:

•Nest, a series of voice assistant smart speakers that can answer voice queries, play music, find information from apps (calendar, weather etc.), and control third-party smart home appliances (users can tell it to turn on the lights, for example). The Google Nest line includes the original Google Home (later succeeded by the Nest Audio), the Google Home Mini (later succeeded by the Nest Mini, the Google Home Max, the Google Home Hub (later rebranded as the Nest Hub), and the Nest Hub Max.

•Nest Wifi (originally Google Wifi), a connected set of Wi-Fi routers to simplify and extend coverage of home Wi-Fi.

Enterprise services

Google Workspace (formerly G Suite until October 2020) is a monthly subscription offering for organizations and businesses to get access to a collection of Google's services, including Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides, with additional administrative tools, unique domain names, and 24/7 support.

On September 24, 2012, Google launched Google for Entrepreneurs, a largely not-for-profit business incubator providing startups with co-working spaces known as Campuses, with assistance to startup founders that may include workshops, conferences, and mentorships. Presently, there are seven Campus locations: Berlin, London, Madrid, Seoul, São Paulo, Tel Aviv, and Warsaw.

On March 15, 2016, Google announced the introduction of Google Analytics 360 Suite, "a set of integrated data and marketing analytics products, designed specifically for the needs of enterprise-class marketers" which can be integrated with BigQuery on the Google Cloud Platform. Among other things, the suite is designed to help "enterprise class marketers" "see the complete customer journey", generate "useful insights", and "deliver engaging experiences to the right people". Jack Marshall of The Wall Street Journal wrote that the suite competes with existing marketing cloud offerings by companies including Adobe, Oracle, Salesforce, and IBM.

Internet services

In February 2010, Google announced the Google Fiber project, with experimental plans to build an ultra-high-speed broadband network for 50,000 to 500,000 customers in one or more American cities.[178][179] Following Google's corporate restructure to make Alphabet Inc. its parent company, Google Fiber was moved to Alphabet's Access division.[180][181]

In April 2015, Google announced Project Fi, a mobile virtual network operator, that combines Wi-Fi and cellular networks from different telecommunication providers in an effort to enable seamless connectivity and fast Internet signal.

Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, its name comes from the face book directories often given to American university students. Membership was initially limited to Harvard students, gradually expanding to other North American universities and, since 2006, anyone over 13 years old. As of July 2022, Facebook claimed 2.93 billion monthly active users,[6] and ranked third worldwide among the most visited websites as of July 2022.[7] It was the most downloaded mobile app of the 2010s.[8]

Facebook can be accessed from devices with Internet connectivity, such as personal computers, tablets and smartphones. After registering, users can create a profile revealing information about themselves. They can post text, photos and multimedia which are shared with any other users who have agreed to be their "friend" or, with different privacy settings, publicly. Users can also communicate directly with each other with Facebook Messenger, join common-interest groups, and receive notifications on the activities of their Facebook friends and the pages they follow.

The subject of numerous controversies, Facebook has often been criticized over issues such as user privacy (as with the Cambridge Analytica data scandal), political manipulation (as with the 2016 U.S. elections) and mass surveillance.[9] Posts originating from the Facebook page of Breitbart News, a media organization previously affiliated with Cambridge Analytica,[10] are currently among the most widely shared political content on Facebook.[11][12][13][14][15] Facebook has also been subject to criticism over psychological effects such as addiction and low self-esteem, and various controversies over content such as fake news, conspiracy theories, copyright infringement, and hate speech.

Zuckerberg built a website called "Facemash" in 2003 while attending Harvard University. The site was comparable to Hot or Not and used "photos compiled from the online face books of nine Houses, placing two next to each other at a time and asking users to choose the "hotter" person". Facemash attracted 450 visitors and 22,000 photo-views in its first four hours. The site was sent to several campus group listservs, but was shut down a few days later by Harvard administration. Zuckerberg faced expulsion and was charged with breaching security, violating copyrights and violating individual privacy. Ultimately, the charges were dropped. Zuckerberg expanded on this project that semester by creating a social study tool. He uploaded art images, each accompanied by a comments section, to a website he shared with his classmates.

A "face book" is a student directory featuring photos and personal information. In 2003, Harvard had only a paper version[ along with private online directories. Zuckerberg told The Harvard Crimson, "Everyone's been talking a lot about a universal face book within Harvard. ... I think it's kind of silly that it would take the University a couple of years to get around to it. I can do it better than they can, and I can do it in a week."[29] In January 2004, Zuckerberg coded a new website, known as "TheFacebook", inspired by a Crimson editorial about Facemash, stating, "It is clear that the technology needed to create a centralized Website is readily available ... the benefits are many." Zuckerberg met with Harvard student Eduardo Saverin, and each of them agreed to invest $1,000 ($1,435 in 2021 dollars[30]) in the site.[31] On February 4, 2004, Zuckerberg launched "TheFacebook", originally located at thefacebook.com.

Six days after the site launched, Harvard seniors Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra accused Zuckerberg of intentionally misleading them into believing that he would help them build a social network called HarvardConnection.com. They claimed that he was instead using their ideas to build a competing product. The three complained to the Crimson and the newspaper began an investigation. They later sued Zuckerberg, settling in 2008 for 1.2 million shares (worth $300 million ($354 million in 2021 dollars[30]) at Facebook's IPO).

Membership was initially restricted to students of Harvard College. Within a month, more than half the undergraduates had registered.[36] Dustin Moskovitz, Andrew McCollum, and Chris Hughes joined Zuckerberg to help manage the growth of the website.[37] In March 2004, Facebook expanded to Columbia, Stanford and Yale.[38] It then became available to all Ivy League colleges, Boston University, NYU, MIT, and successively most universities in the United States and Canada.

In mid-2004, Napster co-founder and entrepreneur Sean Parker—an informal advisor to Zuckerberg—became company president.[41] In June 2004, the company moved to Palo Alto, California.[42] It received its first investment later that month from PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. In 2005, the company dropped "the" from its name after purchasing the domain name Facebook.com for US$200,000 ($277,492 in 2021 dollars). The domain had belonged to AboutFace Corporation.

In May 2005, Accel Partners invested $12.7 million ($17.6 million in 2021 dollars) in Facebook, and Jim Breyer added $1 million ($1.39 million in 2021 dollars) of his own money. A high-school version of the site launched in September 2005. Eligibility expanded to include employees of several companies, including Apple Inc. and Microsoft.

Facebook was sued by the Federal Trade Commission as well as a coalition of several states for illegal monopolization and antitrust. The FTC and states sought the courts to force Facebook to sell its subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram.[183][184] The suits were dismissed by a federal judge on June 28, 2021, who stated that there was not enough evidence brought in the suit to determine Facebook to be a monopoly at this point, though allowed the FTC to amend its case to include additional evidence. In its amended filings in August 2021, the FTC asserted that Facebook had been a monopoly in the area of personal social networks since 2011, distinguishing Facebook's activities from social media services like TikTok that broadcast content without necessarily l

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Ford F450 Jankel | Armoured Multi-Role Vehicle | DZM

Dutch postcard, no. 3324. Photo: Columbia.

Barbara Hale (1922-2017) was an American actress best known for her role as confidential secretary Della Street in the television series Perry Mason (1957–1966), earning her a 1959 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She reprised the role in 30 Perry Mason movies for television (1985–1995). Her film roles included The Window (1949), in which she starred as the mother of a boy who witnesses a murder.

Barbara Hale was born in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1922. She was the daughter of Wilma (née Colvin) and Luther Ezra Hale, a landscape gardener. She had one sister, Juanita, for whom Hale's younger daughter was named. In 1940, Hale graduated from Rockford High School in Rockford, Illinois, and then attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, planning to be an artist. Her performing career began in Chicago when she started modelling for a comic strip called 'Ramblin' Bill' to pay for her education. She was also one of the original 'Dr Pepper' girls featured in the soda company's calendars in the 1940s and 1950s. Hale moved to Hollywood in 1943, and under contract to RKO Radio Pictures, made her first screen appearance (uncredited) in Gildersleeve's Bad Day (Gordon Douglas, 1943). She continued to make small uncredited appearances in films, until her first credited role alongside Frank Sinatra in Higher and Higher (Tim Whelan, 1943). She even sang with him in the film. Hale had leading roles in such films as West of the Pecos (Edward Killy, 1945) with Robert Mitchum, and Lady Luck (Edwin L. Marin, 1946) opposite Robert Young which she described as her first 'full stardom' and 'her fifth A picture', and The Window (Ted Tetzlaff, 1949). Her roles in 1950s films such as the adventure Lorna Doone (Phil Karlson, 1951); the comedy The Jackpot (Walter Lang, 1951) with James Stewart; the drama A Lion Is in the Streets (Raoul Walsh, 1953), and the Western Seminole (Budd Boetticher, 1953) with Rock Hudson. continued Hale's run of successful films during that decade. The Western The Oklahoman (Francis D. Lyon, 1957), co-starring Joel McCrea, would mark Hale's last leading role in a film. She seldom appeared in film after this time, but was part of an all-star cast in Airport (George Seaton, Henry Hathaway, 1970), playing the wife of an airline pilot played by Dean Martin. Hale's final appearance in a feature film was in the drama Big Wednesday (John Milius, 1978) as Mrs. Barlow, the mother of the character played by Hale's real-life son William Katt.

Barbara Hale was considering retirement from acting when she accepted her best-known role as legal secretary Della Street in the television series Perry Mason, starring Raymond Burr as the titular character. The show ran for nine seasons from 1957 to 1966, with 271 episodes produced. She appeared in 263. The role won Hale a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. In 1985, Hale and Burr (by then the only surviving cast members from the original series) reprised their roles for the TV movie Perry Mason Returns. The film was such a ratings hit, that a further 29 TV movies were produced until 1995. Hale continued her role as Della in the four telefilms produced after Burr's death in 1993, subtitled A Perry Mason Mystery (and starring Paul Sorvino as Anthony Caruso in the first film and Hal Holbrook as 'Wild' Bill McKenzie in the remaining three). Hale is thus the only actor to feature in all 30 films. Hale's career became inextricably linked with that of Perry Mason co-star Burr; she guest-starred in Murder Impromptu, a 1971 episode of his next series, Ironside. Her last on-screen appearance was a TV biographical documentary about Burr that aired in 2000. In 1945 during the filming of West of the Pecos, Hale met actor Bill Williams (birth name Herman August Wilhelm Katt). They were married for 46 years from 1946 until Williams' death from cancer in 1992. The couple had two daughters, Jodi and Juanita, and a son, actor William Katt. Williams made guest appearances on four episodes of Perry Mason in the 1960s. Their son, William Katt played detective Paul Drake, Jr., alongside Hale in nine of the Perry Mason TV movies from 1985 to 1988. Hale guest-starred in Katt's series, The Greatest American Hero in which Katt played the title role, aka Ralph Hinkley; Hale played Hinkley's mother in the 1982 episode, Who's Woo in America. Barbara Hale died at her home in Sherman Oaks, California, in 2017, of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was 94 years old. She is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) next to her husband.

Sources: Wikipedia and IMDb.

And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.

©Jim Cooper

The police have always played a role in comics. It is a unique role to be sure, as they represent official law enforcement alongside the true stars of the comics: costumed, super-powered vigilantes who hide their identies.

How to handle this story-wise?

In the Golden Age of the 1930s through the 1950s, law enforcement was generally portrayed as friendly towards the vigilantes.

In DC comics, the police cheered Superman and patted him on the back as he, without any official authority, manhandled criminals.

Batman was a decidedly less cheery vigilante but still, in Gotham, Police Commissioner Gordon not only approved of the violence of the unknown masked crusader but set up a system to work with him, including but not limited to the Batsignal. Commissioner Gordon's daughter even crossed over, becoming Batgirl.

With the Silver Age in the 1960s, Stan Lee's new Marvel universe took place mainly in New York City. And, the same affection for the costumed vigilantes could still be seen. Thor was applauded. Daredevil was often assisted by patrolmen.

There were some cracks appearing however in the armor of camaraderie the super-heroes had enjoyed.

Spider-Man was viewed skeptically. Between a constant campaign to discredit the wall-crawler and portray him as a villain by J. Jonah Jameson and his newspaper, the Daily Bugle, and a bad habit of being in the wrong place in the wrong time amidst an abundance of circumstantial evidence, Spider-Man was either shot at on sight by the police or begrudgingly acknowledged to have done at least something right.

Iron Man was favored by the police but they were often ordered to oppose him due to some machinations to frame him from political or industrial enemies.

The 80s saw the cynical deconstruction of the super-hero with comics such as The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen. With these trends, law enforcement more often became strictly opposed to super-vigilantism.

So, in all of this we see that while in some comics the police were either ignored as a presence or presented as bumbling cops of the Keystone variety, overall, from the beginning there has been a genuine effort by comics writers to offer a rather difficult reconciliation of codified law and order with costumed super-powered, secretive individuals who literally took the law into their own hands on a daily basis.

⚡ Happy 🎯 Heroclix 💫 Friday! 👽

_____________________________

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

Secret Identity: N/A

Publisher: Marvel

First appearance: Marvel Comics #1 (August, 1939)

Created by: N/A

RAF Tornado GR4 landing on runway 23 at RAF Lossiemouth.

©Jim Cooper

DS IF

British postcard by London Postcard Company, no. XM 5806 (Series 1 set of 9). Photo: Marvel. Patrick Stewart as Professor X in X-Men (Bryan Singer, 2000).

The career of English actor Patrick Stewart (1940) has included roles on stage, television, and film in a career spanning almost six decades. The unknown Shakespearean actor suddenly became famous as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the American TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) and its successor films. Another well-known role was Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series of superhero movies.

Patrick Stewart was born in Mirfield, in Yorkshire, England. His parents were Gladys (née Barrowclough), a weaver and textile worker, and Alfred Stewart, a regimental sergeant major in the British Army. He has two older brothers, Geoffrey and Trevor. Stewart grew up in a poor household with domestic violence from his father who suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. This experience later influenced Stewart's political and ideological beliefs. Stewart attended Crowlees Church of England Junior and Infants School, where his English teacher stimulated him to perform. In 1951, aged 11, having failed the eleven-plus examination, he entered Mirfield Secondary Modern School, where he continued to study drama. At the age of 15, Stewart left school to work as a junior reporter on a local paper; he quit when his editor told him he was spending too much time at the theatre. At the age of 18, he lost his hair, a traumatic experience that made him timider. For him, acting served as a means of self-expression. Stewart spent a year as a furniture salesman, saving cash to attend drama school. In 1957, Stewart received a grant to attend the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. In 1959, he made his stage debut. Following a period with Manchester's Library Theatre, he became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. Stewart received the 1979 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Antony and Cleopatra on the West End. He made his Broadway debut as Snout in Peter Brook's legendary production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He remained with the Royal Shakespeare Company until 1982. In the early 1980s, he moved to the Royal National Theatre. In 1967, he had made his television debut in Coronation Street as a fire officer. Over the years, Stewart took roles in many major TV series without ever becoming a household name. He appeared as Vladimir Lenin in Fall of Eagles (1974); Sejanus in I, Claudius (Herbert Wise, 1976); Karla in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (John Irvin, 1979) and Smiley's People (Simon Langton, 1982); and Claudius in a BBC adaptation of Hamlet (Rodney Bennett, 1980) with Derek Jacobi and Claire Bloom. He even took the romantic male lead in the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South (Rodney Bennett, 1975) wearing a hairpiece. He also co-starred with Peter Eyre and Glenda Jackson in Hedda (Trevor Nunn, 1975), a film adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler. He took the lead, playing psychiatric consultant Dr. Edward Roebuck in BBC's Maybury (1981). Stewart played minor roles in such films as Excalibur (John Boorman, 1981), Dune (David Lynch, 1984), and British science fiction horror film Lifeforce (Tobe Hooper, 1985).

In 1987, Patrick Stewart agreed to work in Hollywood on a revival of an old science-fiction television show. Stewart knew nothing about the original show, Star Trek, or its iconic status in American culture. He was reluctant to sign the standard contract of six years but accepted the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994). Stewart unexpectedly became a star and wealthy. From 1994 to 2002, he also portrayed Picard in the films Star Trek Generations (David Carson, 1994), Star Trek: First Contact (Jonathan Frakes, 1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (Jonathan Frakes, 1998), and Star Trek: Nemesis (Stuart Baird, 2002); and in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's pilot episode Emissary (David Carson, 1993). This success typecast Stewart as Picard and obtaining other roles became difficult. He also found returning to the stage difficult because of his long departure. In the late 1990s, he accepted a key role in the big-budget X-Men film series, as Professor Charles Xavier, founder and mentor of the superhero team, a role similar in many ways to Picard. He was initially reluctant to sign on to another movie franchise, but his interest in working with director Bryan Singer persuaded him. Stewart played the role in seven feature films: X-Men (Bryan Singer, 2000), X2 (Bryan Singer, 2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (Brett Ratner, 2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Gavin Hood, 2009) starring Hugh Jackman, The Wolverine (James Mangold, 2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (Bryan Singer, 2014) and Logan (James Mangold, 2017) and voiced the role in several videos. Stewart's other film and television roles include the flamboyantly gay Sterling in Jeffrey (Christopher Ashley, 1995) and King Henry II in The Lion in Winter (Andrey Konchalovskiy, 2003), for which he received a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance and an Emmy Award nomination for executive-producing the film. He portrayed Captain Ahab in the TV film Moby Dick (Franc Roddam, 1998), receiving an Emmy Award nomination and Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance. He also starred as Ebenezer Scrooge in a television film version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (David Jones, 1999), for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

In late 2003, during the final season of the TV series Frasier, Patrick Stewart appeared on the show as a gay Seattle socialite and opera director, who mistakes Frasier for a potential lover. In 2005, he was cast as Professor Ian Hood in an ITV thriller 4-episode series Eleventh Hour (2006), created by Stephen Gallagher. He played Captain Nemo in a two-part adaptation of The Mysterious Island (Russell Mulcahy, 2005) opposite Kyle MacLachlan. Stewart also appeared as a nudity-obsessed caricature of himself in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's television series Extras (2005). In 2006, Stewart made a short video against domestic violence for Amnesty International, in which he recollected his father's physical attacks on his mother and the effect it had on him as a child. He did voice roles such as CIA Deputy Director Avery Bullock in the animation series American Dad! (2005-2017) and the narrator in Ted (Seth MacFarlane, 2012). He remained to perform with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 2008 Stewart played King Claudius in Hamlet on the West End and won a second Olivier Award. He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2000 Queen's Millennium Honours list for his services to acting and the cinema. In 2010, Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama. Stewart and his first wife, Sheila Falconer, divorced in 1990 after 24 years of marriage. They have two children, son Daniel and daughter Sophia. Daniel is a television actor and has appeared alongside his father in the made-for-television film Death Train (David Jackson, 1993) starring Pierce Brosnan, and the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode The Inner Light (1992). In 1997, Stewart became engaged to Wendy Neuss, one of the producers of Star Trek: The Next Generation. They married in August 2000 and divorced three years later. Four months before his divorce from Neuss, Stewart played opposite actress Lisa Dillon in a production of The Master Builder, and the two were romantically involved until 2007. In 2008, Stewart began dating Sunny Ozell, a singer and songwriter based in New York, whom Stewart met while performing in Macbeth at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. They married in 2013 with Sir Ian McKellen performing the wedding ceremony. Recently he played the lead of the Starz TV series Blunt Talk (2015-2016).

Sources: Wikipedia and IMDb.

And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.

A volunteer who has given 2,253 hours since joining in June last year has swapped her role as HR advisor at a bank to becoming one of our new recruit police officers on the frontline.

Emma Donbavand joined GMP's Special Constabulary to "dip her toe in the water" before making a decision to apply to become a full-time officer and after the thousands of hours she's given to the force, she's now been accepted to become a police officer this month and finished her last shift as a Special Constable last night (14 December 2021).

Special Constables are part-time, voluntary police officers who have the same powers, uniform and equipment as regular officers and work alongside frontline officers as well as police staff to help make Greater Manchester a safer place to be.

The 22-year-old previously worked as a HR advisor for Natwest but decided to join in June 2020 and wanted to do so many hours that she joined a response team of officers in Tameside - almost balancing two jobs voluntarily. Some of the her highlights include being promoted to a Specials Team Leader this year, assisting with the huge policing operation for Parklife 2021 and jumping into a river to save a man in June this year.

She said: "I initially joined the Special Constabulary because I wanted to dip my toe in the water first as I was starting to think about becoming a police officer but everyone made me feel so welcome and after 18 months, I decided to join.

"After joining and training in June last year, I've done just over 2,250 hours and sometimes I'd finish my day job as a HR advisor at 5pm and go straight to work with one of the response teams in Tameside. I've loved it and everyone in the district has made me feel so welcome."

Before becoming a HR advisor for a bank, Emma wanted to go into musical theatre but her dreams were shattered after she broke her leg.

She added: "I wanted to go into musical theatre but I broke my leg in two places on a trampoline. I still do some shows on the side and often go to London though.

"When I joined the Specials though, I quickly realised that no two jobs were the same and it's become an experience like no other so that's why I ended up applying to join as a police officer."

Emma has joined GMP under the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship and is currently underway with her training.

"Being a Special is an experience like no other - there's no other volunteering you can do that gives you such life experience where you're on the streets and helping people," she added.

The Special Constabulary at GMP is recruiting. To find out more, visit: Special constables | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)

www.birkenheuerphotography.com/

third time is the charm! collaborating once again with doug, my good friend, and a great photographer!! ...our only agenda, to have fun!

Makeup has played a dispensable role in most women's life. In their opinion, they should make up well to look much more beautiful.

Glamour's Suze Yalof Schwartz went behind the scenes at Fashion Week to find out how they do it. Now she's giving you lessons!

1 Easter egg colors are your friend.

We're loving this cheery remix of the smoky eye. Just swap your charcoal shadow for the grown-up pastels makeup artist Dick Page used on models at Michael Kors. He lined their eyes with black pencil, then added gold shimmer in the inner corners. Next, he applied light blue or purple shadow along the lower curve of the eyes and from the lash line to just above the crease, then smudged, smudged, smudged. He finished with black mascara.

2 Pretty eye shadows to try.

Shiseido Makeup Luminizing Satin Eye Color in Bone, Fondant and Provence.

3 Fab skin and lip savers.

A one-minute way to glow?

Darphin Aromatic Renewing Balm. For a cheaper moisturizer alternative that's easy to track down, check your medicine cabinet - a bit of petroleum jelly works too.

4 Orange is the new red (lipstick).

We saw this again and again backstage and learned the trick to pulling it off: Just pick one spot to play up. Makeup pro Lucia Pica chose the cheeks at the Erin Fetherston show. She rubbed creamy orange blush onto the models' cheekbones with her fingers - a nice, bright contrast to their smoky brown eyeshadow.

5 A lipstick to love.

At Rebecca Taylor, makeup artist Rie Omoto used MAC Lipstick in Lady Danger on the models' lips. Apply it with a lip brush for more control.

6 A cure for tarantula lashes.

In between primping models at BCBG, vice president of MAC makeup artistry Gordon Espinet taught me his secret for keeping lashes defined and clump-free: Apply mascara with a fan brush, left. Just rub it over your mascara wand, then brush it onto your lashes—the stiff bristles are great for separating. How genius is that?

7 Try a textured mani.

Think of your nails as a showpiece accessory (they're jewelry, but cheaper), and apply a polish with sparkle - like chunky glitter or gold flecks - built in. "It's all about texture," manicurist Elle told me at the Reem Acra show. Another way to wear the trend: Try a dark, opaque shade, with a sheer, shimmery layer on top.

8 Do an unboring decorated bun.

Classic chignons are a runway staple, but the best ones this year got dressed up with fabric. At the Tibi show, hairstylists Kevin Ryan and Frank Rizzieri confessed that they used leftover fabric to frame the models' updos. And at Jason Wu, hair pro Odile Gilbert used sheer black cloth to add drama to the models' hair. "It's fresh and spontaneous," she said. To DIY, twist your hair into a bun, wrap fabric around it and make big loops with the material, pinning them into place as you go.

9 Vampy lips done right.

The super-intense lipstick combo MAC artist Romero Jennings used for the Jason Wu show made me want to take a temporary hiatus from my usual nudes - it's that gorgeous. First he applied a deep berry matte lipstick with a lip brush to create a base. Then he added a creamy eggplant shade on top, pressing it in with his fingers for a modern, stained effect. You can perfect the line with a cotton swab or a lip brush (no liner needed). As for your eyes, keep them simple like Jennings did. Apply bronzy shadow and brown liner, then curl your lashes. So fresh!

10 Add texture to your ponytail.

Why Ted Gibson loves the roughed up look: "You get a really interesting ponytail rather than the same old version you always wear." At Lela Rose, Gibson spritzed sections of the models' wet hair with hairspray, then rolled the pieces with his fingers while blow-drying for messiness. Laurent Philippon used a crimper to go punk at Monique Lhuillier. Crimp a big front section and pull your hair back, keeping the sides of the pony slick. Secure with an elastic, then crimp down along the tail.

Get more details from my blog.

Ladies rock outer space! Vote to make this a real LEGO set: ideas.lego.com/projects/147876

This project celebrates five pioneers of NASA. If it receives 10,000 votes, you could soon buy one at a LEGO store near you! The full set, as seen here, includes a frame, five minifigures, and vignettes including a microscale Hubble Space Telescope, space shuttle, instruments of the Apollo era, and replica of a famous photo showing the code that got astronauts to the moon.

Meet the Women of NASA:

MARGARET HAMILTON, computer scientist: While working at MIT under contract with NASA in the 1960s, Hamilton developed the on-board flight software for the Apollo missions to the moon. She is known for popularizing the modern concept of software.

KATHERINE JOHNSON, mathematician and space scientist: A longtime NASA researcher, Johnson is best known for calculating and verifying trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo programs — including the Apollo 11 mission that first landed humans on the moon.

SALLY RIDE, astronaut, physicist, and educator: A physicist by training, Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983. After retiring as a NASA astronaut, she founded an educational company focusing on encouraging children — especially girls — to pursue the sciences.

NANCY GRACE ROMAN, astronomer: One of the first female executives at NASA, Roman is known to many as the "Mother of Hubble" for her role in planning the Hubble Space Telescope. She also developed NASA's astronomy research program.

MAE JEMISON, astronaut, physician, and entrepreneur: Trained as a medical doctor, Jemison became the first African-American woman in space in 1992. After retiring from NASA, Jemison established a company that develops new technologies and encourages students in the sciences.

Thanks for your support! To vote, and for more information, visit: ideas.lego.com/projects/147876

In need of a stroke!

First time modeling my breakdancing for a friend. Its really odd being in front of the camera then being behind it. It was an awesome photo shoot, and we got some stellar shots. Its really awesome when two photographers work together. Thanks Jerry Tam for the shots. Photos were edited by me.

Author : @Kiri Karma

Comiccon Brussels 2023 - Spring - Q & A Charmed Reunion

Rose Mcgowan

aka Paige Matthews, Cherry Darling, Tatum Riley, Queen of Hearts, ...

Charmed - Planet Terror - Scream - Once Upon A Time - ...

Get ready for a bewitching guest! The one and only Rose McGowan, known for her roles as the powerful and determined witch Paige Matthews in the hit series Charmed, Cherry Darling in Planet Terror and as Cora Mills/The Queen of Hearts in Once Upon a Time and Tatum Riley in SCREAM is coming to Comic Con Brussels!

Paige Matthews was introduced as the younger half-sister of the main characters in the show, and quickly became a fan favorite due to her strong and independent personality. Rose McGowan brought a fresh energy to the show and her portrayal of Paige was praised by both fans and critics alike.

Holly Marie Combs

aka Piper Halliwell, ella Montgomery, ...

Charmed - Pretty little liars - ...

The ever Charming Holly Marie Combs is joining Rose Mcgowan for a CHARMED Reunion!

Charming and magical indeed, because she played a leading role in 179 episodes of the smash hit 90s and 2000s series.

Famed for playing Piper Halliwell in the original Charmed series, she was one of the Charmed Ones and considered the most powerful of the three sisters(after the death of Prue). We're of course talking about Holly Marie Combs! Holly also starred in the hit series Pretty Little Liars as Ella Montgomery.

Brian Krause

aka Leo Wyatt

Charmed

Another actor of the main cast is joining our Charmed Reunion! Sent back to the world as a Whitelighter (this should already ring some bells with the die hard fans!), our next guest met and protected the Charmed Ones in the massive hit series Charmed! Of course, we are talking about BRIAN KRAUSE aka LEO WYATT from Charmed!

Leo was a fixed value in almost every episode of Charmed, fighting the darklighter Rennek, protecting the sisters and having adventures with his wife Piper. He was and is a true fan favourite during all seasons of Charmed. Brian Krause also starred in Stephen King's Sleepwalkers and the Blue Lagoon reboot : Return to The Blue Lagoon.

Drew Fuller

aka Chris Halliwell

Charmed

And here's another surprise so close to the convention, The Charmed Reunion just became bigger.

Drew Fuller who we know as Chriss Halliwell in Charmed is coming to the show this weekend!

When he heard that there was a Charmed Reunion at Comic Con Brussels, he immediately jumped on a plane to be there.

He loves Brussels and he loves his co-stars, so he's going to be at the show next to Holly Marie Combs to meet all the Charmed fans.

Come and meet Drew Fuller aka Chriss Halliwell on both days.

( Comic con brussels is your celebration of geek culture in the heart of europe!

You will find us at the beautiful Tour & Taxis site near the Brussels North train station. At Comic Con Brussels you will find Dealers, Artists, Actors, ... It's a Con that brings together all the things you love:

Comics, cosplay, gaming, films, manga, collectibles, anime, tv series, clothing, toys, gadgets and lots more!!! )

Dominating with its imposing mass, the farm-castle, whose keep is none other than the tower of the knights, sign of the power of the first lords of the place, the "thour de Rolliers", dates back to the beginning of the XIIIth century. A house was attached to it. Later, a vast main building and the outbuildings were built: a huge barn, numerous stables, cowsheds and pigsties, as well as a sheepfold. The inner courtyard is defended by three turrets. The courtyard is defended by three turrets, entered through two carriage gates, and moats surround the buildings on the west and north sides.

The year 1616 affixed to the south wall is a reminder of the great restoration of this complex, which had been attacked by French troops at the time of the construction of the fortresses of Philippeville and Mariembourg.

The castle was in ruins at the beginning of 1700 and it is only during the years 1746 to 1749 that it was transformed.

Today, Mr. and Mrs. Leone are private owners and have restored part of this listed heritage.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was the U.S. Navy’s first-line fighter from 1972 until its retirement in 2006. It is perhaps one of the most widely recognized Navy fighter jets of all time thanks to its starring role in the 1986 Tom Cruise film “Top Gun” and the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick.”

The Tomcat’s design, with its distinctive variable-sweep wings, was a significant innovation. In the full forward position, the wings provide the lift necessary for slow-speed flight, essential for landing back on an aircraft carrier. In the swept-back position, the wings blended into the aircraft, giving the F-14 Tomcat a dart-like silhouette for supersonic flight. This design feature allowed the F-14 to perform a wide range of missions, from carrier landings to high-speed intercepts, making it a highly versatile and effective fighter jet.

The F-14 was explicitly designed to carry the AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles. Robust onboard targeting systems allowed a single Tomcat to simultaneously fire up to six Phoenix missiles at six different targets up to ranges exceeding 100 miles away. U.S. Navy Tomcats flew combat missions during Desert Storm, the Gulf War, and various other missions over Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan from 2001-2006.

The only other country to order the Tomcats was Iran. There were 79 aircraft supplied before the Islamic Revolution in 1979. While it might be hard to believe today, Iran was, in fact, one of the United States’ closest allies before the fall of the last Shah of Iran in 1979. Statistics are inaccurate; however, the Iranian military claims that Tomcats were highly successful in combat against Iraqi forces during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. What is known, however, is that Iranian Tomcats were engaged in the battle against the Islamic State (ISIS) as recently as November of 2015.

This aircraft, BuNo 157986, was only the 7th Tomcat to roll off the production line and has quite the story to tell. It mainly served as the prototype for all future improvements to the F-14 series. Her first flight occurred on September 9th, 1973, with Test Pilots Joe Burke (pilot) and Roger Ferguson (Weapon Systems Officer) at the controls. It was equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s F401-PW-400 engines. Tests with the F401 engines were not satisfactory, and after the flight test program ended, the F-14B was stored at Calverton.

It was reactivated in early 1981, and two General Electric F101DFE (Derivative Fighter Engines) were installed. On July 14th, the first test flight took place. Test pilots discovered that the F-14B could accelerate from Mach 0.8 to Mach 1.8 in just 90 seconds and could launch from a catapult without afterburners. With 65,000 lbs of thrust each, the F101DFE engines produced enough power to give the F-14B a thrust-to-weight ratio of approximately one to one. Though far more successful than the previous F401 trials, the U.S. Navy terminated the testing program in September of 1981.

Once again, the aircraft was back in storage. A few years later, in July of 1984, it was reactivated again, and two General Electric F110-GE-400 engines were installed. Test flights began shortly after that on what would become known as the Super Tomcat. This time, the tests proved to be highly successful. They led to the production of the F-14A (PLUS), essentially an “A” model, in March of 1987 with the General Electric F110 series engines (and redesignated as the F-14B in May of 1991), to the highly improved and updated F-14D produced until 1992.

Olympus digital camera. En souvenir d’une belle journée avec J Luc et Franky.

mugshots of Linsday Lohan, Mischa Barton and Nicole Richie

A Vietnamese postcard of a Japanese Actress dressed as an Oiran (Japanese Courtesan) standing in front of a painted studio backdrop. It is dated 19 December 1913. A later version of this postcard has the caption 'Chanteuse Japonaise' or Japanese singer.