View allAll Photos Tagged Ultimately
Novak Djokovic having his Visa rejected and ultimately being detained in the Park Hotel, in Carlton, where dozens of refugees have been detained for a number of years - has brought international attention to the Australian government's treatment of people seeking asylum.
Rally initiated by the Refugee Action Collective and supported by numerous other groups.
My website: www.matthrkac.com.au
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/matt.hrkac/
And Facebook: www.facebook.com/MattHrkac
Support my work: paypal.me/matthrkac
Humayun's Tomb
The Tomb Complex
There are various views regarding internment of the body of Humayun. It is generally agreed that his body was initially buried in the Purana Qila, later moved to a temporary burial tomb in Sirhind, due to the invasion of Hemu in 1556. His body was again brought back to Delhi and buried in the Sher Mandal when Akbar defeated Hemu, and ultimately to the present location when the mausoleum was built by his begum and widow, Haji Begum in 1569. The mausoleum was built at an estimated cost of rupees fifteen lakhs. The Humayun’s tomb marks the beginning of the major building activities of the Mughals.
The building style is a combination of Persian architecture and indigenous building styles. The right combination of the red sandstone building medium with the white marble, the latter used as large inlays, exhibits the maturity of this style. This kind of combination of red sandstone and white marble in the tombs could be invariably seen in the architecture of Delhi Sultanates of 14th century A.D. The earliest example, of course, is the Alai Darwaza which has exquisite white marble decorations over red sandstone background. The Mughals readopted this style of decorative architecture and in a sense revived this technique of construction. The other buildings which used this style of decoration include that of mosque of Jamali Kamali (ca. 1528-29), the Qala-i-Kuhna mosque (ca. 1534) and the tomb of Ataga Khan (ca. 1556-67).
The Humayun tomb is located at the centre of a huge garden complex. The garden complex is divided mainly into four compartments further being sub-divided into many square parts (a typical example of Mughal char-bagh), with causeways and water channels, and water pavilions at regular intervals. The tomb complex is enclosed by a high rubble wall; entered through two entrance gateways, one on the west and other on the south, the latter being closed now. The south gate rises to a height of nearly 15.5 metres and consists of a central octagonal hall flanked rectangular rooms. The first floor of the gateway has square and oblong rooms. On the outside, the gate is flanked by screen-walls with arched recesses. Immediately to the west of the south gateway is an enclosure measuring 146 metres by 32 metres, built against the exterior face of the enclosure wall. The building is a low-roofed one with 25 arched entrances and was meant to house the attendants of the royal tomb. Another building is also located nearby, which along with the above enclosure is a later addition. At present, the western gate is used by the visitors to enter the tomb complex. The west gate is smaller in comparison to the south gate and rises to a height of 7 metres and is also double-storeyed.
The northern, southern and western walls of the boundary wall are built of rubble stone and its interior face consists of recessed arches. On the eastern side, the height of the enclosure wall is subdued and was originally meant as an access to the Yamuna river which was flowing nearby.
The tomb proper is constructed over a huge and elevated platform 6.5 m in height, the face of which is relieved by a series of arched openings on all four sides, except four entrance stairs, one each at the centre of four sides. There are 17 arched openings on each of the four sides, and the corners are champered. The combination of the arched openings and the champered corners gives an aesthetic look to the whole monument.
The building medium in the Humayun’s Tomb is of three kinds of stones, viz., red sandstone, while marble and quartzite. The enclosure walls and the two gateways are constructed of local quartzite with red sandstone dressing and marble inlay. The stairs of platform of the main tomb is also dressed with quartzite. The quartzite is locally available in the ridges of Delhi, while the red sandstone came from the mines of Tantpur near Agra and white marble from the famous Makrana mines of Rajasthan.
The ascending stairs at the centre of each of the four sides of the elevated platform leads to an open terrace, at the centre of which is located is the main tomb. The main tomb is located below the monument and is approached through a horizontal passage to the east of southern stair. The arched openings of the platform contain many miscellaneous tombs.
The main tomb is octagonal on plan and rises into two storeys, at the four diagonal corners of the octagon are four chambers, which also houses many tombs of the family members of Humayun. The octagonal tomb is surmounted by a double dome supported by squinches. The employment of double dome in a mausoleum is first seen here and this gives the builder the advantage of building an imposing structure of enormous height, tactfully concealing the presence of double domes on the outside. While the exterior height gives an imposing look, the low ceiling of the lower dome gives a proportionate height of the interior features. The pattern of constructing double domes was already prevalent in West Asia during this period which was first introduced in the Humayun’s tomb.
The dome of this mausoleum is also a complete one, in the sense that it makes a full circle when completed on the other side too. The outline of the dome represents a complete semi-circle and thus a distinct variation from the earlier varieties of the dome architecture. The main mausoleum, as mentioned above, rises in two storeys and could be viewed in three stages. The lower one consists of eight arched openings of the octagon, above which is a balconied arch openings, over which is the intrados of the inner dome, decorated with red sandstone grilles. The interior face of the main tomb is also relived with different kinds of stone and the white marble as the bordering inlay decorative patterns. The red sandstone jail decorations could be seen at the mid arched openings placed at its lower level.
The extrados of the mausoleum is veneered with white marble stones in contrast to the largely red sandstone building. The dome is bulbous in shape; the skyline is relieved with small pavilions on the four corners along side the main dome.
The Humayun’s Tomb is also famously associated with the tragic capture of the last of the Mughal Emperors, Bahadur Shah Zafar, along with the three princes Mirza Mughal, Mirza Khizar Sultan and Mirza Abu Bakr by Lieutenant Hodson in 1857. The Mughal Emperor along with the princes was captured by Hodson on 22 September, 1857.
I had some doubts about this one, but was ultimately pleased with the results.
I knew I wanted to do something with rutabaga and granny smith apples. Stumbled into this recipe which also included a variety of root vegetables, which are piled up all about the kitchen right now.
A few hesitations. First, no matter how many vegetables you cram in there, any soup with a full stick of butter and two full cups of heavy cream will also include a cup and a half of remorse. But hell, it's Soupruary. I'll get over it.
Second, not so sure about that maple syprup in there. As a general rule, I like dinner to taste like dinner, not dessert. Give me a savory dish every time.
I ended up leaving the maple syrup in place, figuring it'll push some flavors forward and can be balanced by the cayenne pepper. It was agood call.
This soup was a nifty mix of complements and counter flavors. Thick, smooth, flavorful, and o so seasonal, disregarding the 60 degree NC February day.
Adapted from a recipe from The Inn at Little Washington. Most noteworthy changes are cream reduction from 2 cups to 1/2 cup and also swapped vegetable broth in for chicken broth. This is really a vegetarian soup, why bring the chickens into it?
INGREDIENTS
1 stick (1/4 pound) butter
1 cup onion, roughly chopped
1 cup Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and roughly chopped
1 cup rutabaga, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup butternut squash, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
1 cup carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped
1 quart vegetable stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, apple, rutabaga, squash, carrots and sweet potato and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent.
Add vegetable stock and simmer 20 minutes.
Puree.
Add cream, and maple syrup. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste.
Garnish with toasted walnuts and serve,
To give voice and ultimately credence to the value of change, from the edges inwards;
the value of treating every child, special or otherwise, as equally entitled to a state-of-the-art education, tailored to his or her unique capabilities.
To advocate for an education that reflects the power and the spirit of a true democracy, even in the absence of one.
To stay close to grass-roots, to care for the smaller patch and trust that many seeds well scattered grow wild and new hedges.
By Sorcha Hyland
Intersectionality & Me
Photo - Hedge School , Carlow , Ireland. Aisling McCoy 2015
Ultimately, Car Land became Cars Land, based on Radiator Springs from the original Pixar film. So much thought and detail has gone into this new land that it will not feel like a celebration of only Lightning McQueen. Instead, it will be a Disney-fied Route 66. In fact, so much research went into the making of the original Cars film that Radiator Springs, as it appears in the film, is already very much like the real Route 66. The buildings you see (Flo's Diner, Ramone's House of Body Art, Luigi's Tire Store) are all based on actual locations that can be found on Route 66.
Novak Djokovic having his Visa rejected and ultimately being detained in the Park Hotel, in Carlton, where dozens of refugees have been detained for a number of years - has brought international attention to the Australian government's treatment of people seeking asylum.
Rally initiated by the Refugee Action Collective and supported by numerous other groups.
My website: www.matthrkac.com.au
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/matt.hrkac/
And Facebook: www.facebook.com/MattHrkac
Support my work: paypal.me/matthrkac
LANDSCAPE/ARCHITECTURE
Brief History of Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni Italy represents one of the best preserved examples of a medieval village in Italy. In the 13th Century, the Sienese built this walled fortress during the territorial wars against Florence.
Ultimately, the territory was lost to Florence in 1554 and taken over with all of Seina by the Medici’s the following year.
Aside from some minor work done in the 16th century and tower reconstruction in the early twentieth century, it remains largely the same is it was in 1214.
This incredible walled village featured both Dante Alighieri’s famed three-part narrative poem, Divine Comedy (1320) and the popular cult classic video games, Assassin’s Creed II and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.
Given the castle’s majesty, it’s easy to understand why Monteriggioni continues to be a modern day wonder in popular culture and tourism alike.
Important Architecture
The two massive doors equipped with shutters were once operated by a pulley system.
When you approach the Monteriggioni fortress ensconced by massive walls, it’s like something out of a fairytale. 1870 feet (570 metres) of circular walls follow the natural contours of the hill, accentuated by 14 evenly spaced towers.
The walls are over 65-feet (20 metres) high and about 6.5-feet (2 metres) thick.
Two portals serve as the only ways in or out:
Franco (or Romea) Gate – facing the north toward Rome
Florentine Gate – facing the south toward Florence
Via 1 Maggio is the main street that connects these portals. The two massive doors equipped with shutters once operated by a pulley system.
Piazza Roma is the main square of Monteriggioni, surrounded by villas and mansions once owned by wealthy locals, and the Monteriggioni church. A little exploration will reveal the narrow lanes and picturesque gardens of the residential area.
Rather than a moat of water, Monteriggioni was surrounded by ditches and charcoal pits protectively set on fire in an attack.
Imagine the guards patrolling the walls, overlooking panoramic views of the surrounding lands!
The Legend of Monteriggioni
Captain Giovannino Zeti was the commander of the Montereggioni Army and also an ex-Florentine.
He commanded the final battle between the Monteriggioni castello and the army of Florence. After the castle’s central well was severely damaged by cannon fire, their water supplies were in jeapardy. Yet he and his men vowed to fight to the death.
Zeti fell short of his promise when it came time to meet his fate. Instead, he disguised himself and slipped out at night to negotiate with the Florentine army camped outside the walls of the fortress.
Zeto hoped to save his life, reclaim lost property in Florence, and earn the graces of Cosimo I de’ Medici.
So, the captain betrayed his own men, breaching Monteriggioni’s security by leading some of the army into the castle to attack from the inside. After the siege of Monteriggioni, the inhabitants became slaves in Florence, and the fortress of Monterrigioni was claimed by the Medici’s, after resisting over three centuries of ferocious attacks.
Zeti was disowned and hated by the people of Siena, and tormented by his own regrets of betrayal. So much so that it’s said that Captain Ziti’s ghost roams the Monteriggioni castle walls, haunting the city in search of improbable forgiveness.
Some believe the captain’s spirit haunts an alleged secret passage from the well of Piazza Roma leading directly to Siena. Others in Monteriggioni say they hear trotting horses and Zeti’s laments when the moon is full.
This legend of Captain Zeti is among one of the most popular ghost stories of Tuscany!
Whatever happens,
Ultimately, Jesus CHRIST is still KING! [English]
起こり、どのような
最終的には、イエス·キリストは、まだ王です！ [Japanese]
Anuman ang mangyari,
sa huli, si KRISTO pa rin ang HARI! [Tagalog]
[Sorry I haven't posted in a while, spent a lot of time working on the book]
I had a weird, disappointing, and ultimately good time out trackside today.
Got to my spot about 10:00 AM or so, then 20 minutes or so to hike out to my spot. Immediately the freights started coming. One after the next for a little while.
After a few freights, I texted my friend @railfanscajonpass that I was out there. This is a friend who benches 5-6 days a week, so I figured he was probably out somewhere close. He was, he pulled up like 20 minutes later and we hung out for an hour or two, and then he was off to hit up another spot.
After a while it seemed like the freights slowed down and I had some time before the next one. I hiked over I would guess 1/4 mile to a bridge spot that always has new graff. That spot also has one throw up that I always shoot because everyone who comes through there signs it. White outline and the black fill has probably 100 smaller (in size) names written in the fill. Every time I come up here there's new names. I've been flicking this for a couple years now. This time however, someone buffed and went over the entire piece and a piece next to it. What the hell ?!
Look, I'm not even a writer, but damn. Even I know that this wasn't right...
========
Later, I was at a different spot, and two dudes were acting super sketchy really close to where I was, which weirded me out enough that I hiked further down the tracks and this lead to something, I found another good view to catch the freights from. A little something different you might notice in today's photos. Turns out one guy was painting under the trestle, and the other guy kept coming up by me as a lookout. Whatever... I get out there to be away from people. So, I did. And found a new spot!
Caught a lot of great pieces today, got to hang out with my friend, and didn't get bit by any rattlesnakes! In the end, it was a good day.
========
Pick up a copy of my book if you can. Every little bit helps me out.
SoCal Freight Benching: Graffiti on Freight Trains - Vol.1
www.amazon.com/SoCal-Freight-Benching-Graffiti-Trains/dp/...
Ultimately, it will hang over the baby bed, but figuring out how to hang it from the 12-foot ceiling is something D will have to deal with! :)
Were were ultimately thwarted in our attempts to use the lift, and had to resort to carrying the robot arm up the spiral staircase.
Astronomers Monument Figures
The six astronomers featured on the monument are among the most influential and important in history. The six figures represent the Greek astronomer Hipparchus (about 125 B.C.), Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), Isaac Newton (1642-1727), and John Herschel (1738-1822). Albert Einstein was considered for inclusion, but planers ultimately decided it would be inappropriate to feature someone still alive (the monument was completed in 1934; Einstein died in 1955).
Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
John Kepler was born at Weil, in Wurtemburg, Germany. His genius was recognized by Tycho Brahe, who invited him to Prague as his assistant. He inherited his master’s records of observations, which showed more precisely than ever before how the planets seemed to move among the stars. After many years of incredible labor, Kepler formulated his Three Laws, which describe how the planets are really moving. His First Law states that each planet moves in an oval-shaped path called an ellipse around the sun which is located at a point known as a focus, displaced from the center of the ellipse. His Second Law states that the line joining any planet with the sun sweeps over equal areas in equal times. His Third Law relates the periods of the various planets to their distances from the sun, in that the squares of the periods are proportional to the cubes of the mean distances. Kepler overcame ill health, poverty, and misfortune to discover these laws, which vindicated Copernicus and prepared the way for Newton.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, but also lived in other Italian cities, including Florence, Venice and Padua. He made discoveries and brought forth arguments which secured the triumph of the Copernican system. Hearing of the invention of the telescope, he made one himself and pointed it at the sky, and was the first to understand what he saw there. He discovered four satellites revolving around Jupiter and found that Venus presents phases similar to those of the moon. He observed that the Milky Way is made up of many faint stars, and he made rough measurements of the heights of the mountains on the moon. He showed that the spots on the sun are not planets revolving near the sun, but are on the sun’s surface. Of still greater consequence was his formulation and experimental proof of the laws of motion, and the laying of the foundations of mechanics. Since the Copernican doctrine of the motion of the earth was regarded as heresy by the Church, Galileo’s work brought him into the hands of the Inquisition. He was imprisoned and forced to recant his belief in the Copernican theory. When released, he was forbidden to teach or publish anything. He retired in broken down health, and became blind five years before he died at the age of 78.
Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543)
Nicolaus Copernicus was born at Thorn in Poland, but spent most of his life at Frauenburg near the mouth of the Vistula River. His life work is contained in his book, “De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium,” which was printed just before he died. He placed the sun in its true place at the center of the solar system. His great merit is that he dared to doubt the Ptolemaic system, which placed the earth at the center of the solar system and which had been universally believed for centuries. He brought about a great revolution in thought by suggesting that the earth was not the central and all-important body in the universe. It was only on the score of simplicity that this scheme could be urged at that time. Copernicus showed that the daily rotation of the earth on its axis would account for the apparent daily revolution of the stars. He also showed that the planetary motions were much more simply explained by supposing that the planets, including the earth, revolved in circular orbits, with the sun slightly out of center.
The Hidden Treasure at the Mountain's Shoulder.
This place is the work area of so many endeavours; Entoto's High plateau, where it appears among adorable Juniper hills and dreamlike meadows. Ultimately, beyond the horizon of golden fields, this landscape of forgotten dreams reveals its southern border in the abyss Bees' Cliff (14). Here it shows very soon; the beautiful path (42) to Entoto Natural Park (Nursery) 34, where the massive work has elapsed with nature restoration for many years.
1. The community Entoto Kidane Mehret
The community Entoto Kidane Mehret - An Elevated Protectorate.
The society Entoto Kidane Mehret is a very dedicated and appealing mountain town but should indeed more precisely be described as a deeply devoted religious Sanctuary and Protectorate of Nature and Inhabitants.
A trust-making station with the dignity of a cliff fortress.
Although Entoto Kidane Mehret (1) is quite highly located and appearing distant due to its height above the Capital, nevertheless it's equipped with a station for regular bus and taxi traffic. This quaint town's structure creates here a harmonic embrace of the extensive and impressive Entoto Kidane Mehret Church (32), Monastery and Sacred Water Source (31), Juniperus procera Forest (indigenous) 30.
Entoto Natural Park road and map info.
The entrance to the Park is to the right of the sanctuary.
A historical protectorate with a sanctuary's reliability.
For a long time, this has been a religious protectorate of Entoto's nature, thus gaining excellent protection that has been deeply associated with religious devotion and conviction. However, the Hotel and Guesthouse is missing, which means that the nearest location to the guest house for tourism and dining is the Shero Meda (Shiromeda) community.
Shero Meda (Shiromeda) - A well-established community for transportation and amenities.
This society is the central station for further taxi and bus services to Entoto Kidane Mehret (1). However, the town and station Shero Meda is close enough to Entoto Kidane Mehret to offer a pleasant walk to Entoto Natural Park. Shero Meda (Shiromeda) is also the place that allows the easiest access to Entoto Maryam, located on Entoto's plateau.
Guest Houses, Hotels and Restaurants.
Continuing up towards the mountain massif and Entoto Natural Park, this offers a certain selection of accommodations and as the area is in progress, it is a nice opportunity for restaurants, cafes and hotels up to some mile north of Shero Meda's (Shiromeda) centre.
Accommodation north of Shero Meda (Shiromeda)
The two choices of travel routes starting from Shero Meda centre and continuing up the hill towards Entoto Kidane Mehret and Entoto Maryam offer here some small and inviting neighbourhoods. At this outer boundary of Shero Meda are shown a few streets where the roads up to Entoto Kidane Mehret and Entoto Maryam are joined, providing convenient access to amenities up to a mile north of Shero Meda's centre.
A Great Plateau Ledge for View and Activities.
Arriving at the high viewpoint (16) is very convenient, as the substantial rise upwards offers some beautiful and exciting rests with magnificent scenery and historical surprises with old Italian fortifications (38) and trees of a surprising dignified furrowed patina.
An Ideal Place for the Well-Equipped Family.
From this location (16) provides pleasant resting places for picnics in pleasant tranquillity and contemplation about the unique nature, which is facilitated easily by the high point of view, even over the mist-veiled Capital far below the southern slopes. Much closer the farmhouse is reminded and not far below even the chanting walls of Entoto Kidane Mehret Church (32).
2. Shops for Picnics and Adventures.
The most necessary for the Park's experience and picnics as well as candy shop (2) is across the bus stop from the community (1). For those who are very early in the hours of dawn, there is a small shop also at the beginning of the Juniper forest, just next to the health spring with its associated buildings (31).
5. The Concealed Path of Kidane Mehret.
A refreshing cool stream still runs in leap and joy. Beyond the secrets of Entoto Kidane Mehret's sacred stone walls, (32) a path to Bees' Cliff (14) and further exhilarated explorations.
A hidden path between the sanctuary and the gorge.
The trail runs attractively hidden behind Entoto Kidane Mehret (32) in a concealed curve below its wall and passing through a small part of the village before the path (5) opens along a deep ravine and finishing with a downhill towards a traditional bridge.
The different choices uphill from this bridge starts either from (37) or even (19) is an attractive way to these natural pools just above Bees' Cliff (14).
The paths up to Bees' Cliff (14) offer several options; the northern hillside of the tributary gorge (36), but also the southern slope of (38-39) - (15-16) and (41).
Multiple trail options from the bridge at Kidane Mehret Church (32).
Thus, there are several very different of paths choices just uphill from point (38) but also becomes enriched by a more thorough, independent, acquaintance with the full south-eastern to north-western eroded soil road (41) located just above points (14 - 16).
Grandiose scenarios of the Canyon's trails.
These trails are all characterised by the unique and dramatic slopes at the canyon (35). The options of trails are here beautifully inspiring and often in contact with each other, allowing another choice of a path by a relaxing return or to an intersection towards an alternative height above the gorge. This option might follow the shoreline of the river (35) or even at the slope's upper plateau ledge.
** However, it is clear that the canyon's slopes in some places are too steep to allow a confrontation with a vertical commitment, but just this offers what constitutes the extra interesting in wildlife scenarios and thus giving the walks an unforgettable value.
A canyon of adorable beauty and lush greenery.
Independent opinion or perception of these alternative trails, they are all so surprisingly beautiful and varied that they offer far greater entertainment than could be expected from the memories or impressions of the other nature types around the Capital or even compared to the charming countryside with its beautiful scenery.
In this magnificent canyon of seductively smooth light and living, shadows are, however, all the paths, so captivating inviting that any visitors never are at risk to be without all types pure and vitalizing surprises.
Intention:
Complexity
Reference:
"Balance is, ultimately, not something we can opt out of. Our photographs will be balanced—statically or dynamically—or they’ll be imbalanced, but the balance in an image will affect how people experience your photograph." -DuChemin
Outcome:
Took me far too long to organize these cards, but it was worth it to create my favorite picture from this project. The designs along with the lines create so many shapes, and with the help of editing the contrast is very eye catching. The direction of the lighting was unintentional but it adds just a slight bit of depth to the cards, almost making it look like an optical illusion.
Edits:
Removed color.
Increased: Contrast, Sharpness, and Shadow Intensity.
Decreased: Highlights.
Agate ("Fairburn Agate") from the Black Hills of western South Dakota, USA. (public display, South Dakota School of Mines Museum of Geology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA)
"Agate" is a rockhound/collector term for cavities in rocks (usually sedimentary rocks such as limestone or igneous rocks such as basalt) that have been partially or completely filled with irregularly concentric layers of microcrystalline, fibrous quartz (chalcedony - SiO2). Agate is quartz.
Attractive, multicolored and multipatterned agate has long been collected from a large area near the towns of Fairburn and Interior and south of the town of Kadoka and in the White River Badlands. This region has surficial, loose, late Cenozoic-aged gravels derived from weathering and erosion of bedrock in the Black Hills. Some of this gravel is agate. The Fairburn-area agates are remarkably colorful and desirable. The highest-quality examples have sold in the past for between 10,000 and 20,000 American dollars.
Studies have shown that Fairburn Agate is ultimately derived from limestones of the Minnelusa Formation (Upper Pennsylvanian to Lower Permian), which outcrops in the nearby Black Hills.
Agate ("Fairburn Agate") from the Black Hills of western South Dakota, USA. (public display, South Dakota School of Mines Museum of Geology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA)
"Agate" is a rockhound/collector term for cavities in rocks (usually sedimentary rocks such as limestone or igneous rocks such as basalt) that have been partially or completely filled with irregularly concentric layers of microcrystalline, fibrous quartz (chalcedony - SiO2). Agate is quartz.
Attractive, multicolored and multipatterned agate has long been collected from a large area near the towns of Fairburn and Interior and south of the town of Kadoka and in the White River Badlands. This region has surficial, loose, late Cenozoic-aged gravels derived from weathering and erosion of bedrock in the Black Hills. Some of this gravel is agate. The Fairburn-area agates are remarkably colorful and desirable. The highest-quality examples have sold in the past for between 10,000 and 20,000 American dollars.
Studies have shown that Fairburn Agate is ultimately derived from limestones of the Minnelusa Formation (Upper Pennsylvanian to Lower Permian), which outcrops in the nearby Black Hills.
The Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek, South Africa, is dedicated to the cultural influences that Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony (and ultimately the whole of South Africa) after their immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The monument was designed by J.C. Jongens, completed in 1945 and inaugurated by Dr. A.J van der Merwe on April 17th 1948.
The three high arches symbolizes the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. On top of the arches is the sun of righteousness and above that, the cross of their Christian faith.
The central female figure, created by Coert Steynberg, personifies religious freedom with a bible in her one hand and broken chain in the other. She is casting off her cloak of oppression and her position on top of the globe shows her spiritual freedom. The fleur-de-lis on her robe represents a noble spirit and character.
The southern tip of the globe shows the symbols of their religion (the Bible), art and culture (the harp), the agriculture and viticulture (the sheaf of corn and grape vine) and industry (spinning wheel).
The water pond, reflecting the colonnade behind it, expresses the undisturbed tranquility of mind and spiritual peace the Huguenots experienced after much conflict and strife.
The Memorial Museum neighbouring the monument elaborates on the history of the French Huguenots who settled in the Cape, and especially in the Franschhoek valley. On exhibition are the various tools they used to make wine, clothes they wore and the culture and desire for a better life that they brought with them.
Also on the site are wine cellars joined by a colonnade, which bears the words Post Tenebras Lux (lit. "after darkness [comes] light"). It was the motto of the Protestants during the Reformation, and is also inscribed on the Reformation Wall in Geneva, Switzerland.
(Wikipedia)
I am no longer a photo blogger. My term is up.
As the end neared I was tempted to extend this project, but ultimately I think it's better to stick within the original constraints and move on.
I considered jumping straight into another project, and wrote an angry email to a domain squatter who's sitting on day517.com, but in the end that seemed hasty. I prefer to wait a while, consider my options, and I will move forward with another project when I've settled on something as staunchly as I settled on Day 516 eighteen months or so ago.
I started this project as a way to reengage with photography. I consider myself reengaged; I also consider myself a little jaded and will undoubtedly take fewer pictures over the coming weeks. But, I am better prepared to face the next photographic challenge.
The self-imposed rules of the project have suited me well. By forcing myself to take photographs every day, I've gathered a diverse and somewhat disparate array of images… but there are repeating themes and threads to be found. As I move forward I hope to isolate and explore these themes more purposefully, to create collections of images that relate to and add meaning to each other as opposed to focussing always on the one image at hand… but that's an exploration for another day, and another place.
While I haven't written much here, I have at times expressed my opinion, discussed photography and travel among other things, and I've not been shy about expressing personal feelings.
The final entry needed to have some weight behind it so here I am with gorgeous Cat, who has done more to support me over the past year and a half than any reasonable person could ever expect.
We started this journey together based on a shared dream to live in Buenos Aires. If we were going there, it seemed obvious, we should make a trip out of it, and so we started in New York.
The journey has eclipsed the destination… we're currently ambling slowly around Ecuador and have no plans to move on soon… we have few plans at all and that's the point really. We will not get to Buenos Aires this year; we will return to Ireland before we set foot in Argentina, and that feels great because we are travelling together through this vast continent unimpinged by itinerary or expectation.
THE GREAT BATTLE OF GOTMAS.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and Happy Holidays to those who don't! When I made my recent habitat series, I initially wanted to make six, with one for each of these characters, but ultimately ran out of time. Still, I wanted to share them all with you anyways, so I hope you enjoy these festive (and not so festive) folks! If you're interested in the lore at all, read on!
While many people associate the dwarven holiday of Gotmas with Father Gotmas(for obvious reasons), the holiday was originally a far less merry celebration. Translating in dwarvish to mean "day of triumph," Gotmas was a celebration of the victory that Gotramor and the Elysians brought to the dwarves when they ousted the old, warmongering dwarvish king, and fulfilled the promise of finally ending the Unending Wars. For centuries, it was a holiday celebrated with a great feast, though minus some of the revelry and fun decor. When Nikolaj Frostbeard began to see families down on their luck struggle to partake in any sort of preparation for a large feast, he decided to take the holiday a bit further.
After years of helping out struggling dwarves with treats, desserts, baked goods, and eventually even toys and gifts, he had become quite the hot topic. The cheer he was so resolute to spread drew the ire from even those that lie buried under the earth, forgotten by society. It's said that a Duergar from deep in the Underdark resented the Gotmas celebrations so much, he took it upon himself to ruin them one year. The Duergar—known as Vladimir Krampuscan—heard tale of Nikolaj's exploits, sourcing all of his gifts and merriment from a "Realm of Wishes," and decided to venture there himself.
Vlad decided one day, when Nikolaj was on his way to enter the Realm of Wishes, to sabotage his mission and venture in after him, though he failed to properly account for the manner of Nikolaj's portal. Taunting the dwarf, he warned that Gotmas would cease to be, and tackled Nikolaj through the wormhole. Without a specific setting in mind as he crossed through, however, he plunged into darkness, tumbled through time and space, and fell unconscious. When he finally came to in the Realm, he discovered himself in a place where all the extremes had collided, and wishes that defied one another came to do battle. The opposing wishes chose to align themselves with two primordial forces, whose endless battle was thought impossible to resolve.
Krampuscan stood before a world half frozen by the harrowing winds of winter, and half ablaze with the scorching flames of summer heat. It was there that he met the Miser of Heat and the Miser of Snow. In a twisted turn of fate, he was somehow able to persuade them to pause their conflict, and direct their war and aggression elsewhere—somewhere their destructive might and potential could actually be realized. Now with command over ice and flames, Vladimir carved a portal into the ground, and brought his newfound allies into the world whence he came, ready to destroy Gotmas once and for all.
It is said that in his ambush, Nikolaj landed in a distant region in the Realm of Wishes, and had to venture a long, long way back to his workshop, the place from where he could return to his world. Along the way, he met a couple of allies who swore to help him, believing in his cause. Vixenia and Merry, thus, joined Nikolaj and journeyed far to reach his workshop. Stepping through his portal, he found his home in turmoil.
The city was besieged by Krampuscan and his sinister allies, spreading their destruction throughout the streets. Houses burned, shops froze over, and Nikolaj's people suffered. He took up arms, resolving to slay the Duergar and the interlopers, or die trying. When it seemed that all hope was lost, and ol' Frostbeard would meet his end that day, he was joined by two familiar friends.
Vixenia and Merry had journeyed from their world to his, to aid him in his fight to save Gotmas. An epic battle ensued, which inspired many a Gotmas song, and the tides had finally been turned. With Vixenia's sage wisdom on the balance of nature, and Merry's sound persuasive abilities and quick thinking, the Misers of Heat and Snow were once again pitted against each other, as Nikolaj delivered the final blow to Krampuscan. It is said the Defiler of Gotmas evaporated as Nikolaj's sacred hammer swung that final blow, leaving no body behind. With the remaining adversaries distracted by each other, the Guardians of Gotmas banished them back to their home plane, and ended the battle.
Vixenia and Merry stayed thereafter, aiding Nikolaj in his efforts to clean up the town, and restore his people's cheerful festive spirit, no matter how many years it took. The legendary exploits of Frostbeard earned him the moniker of "Father Gotmas," and dwarves all over the continent began to honor his bravery and mimic his gift-giving traditions. To most of the continent of Ridgar, Gotmas is simply a dwarven day of celebration and presents, but to dwarves themselves, it is a celebration of resilience, community, and the triumph of good over evil. While the damage of the Great Battle of Gotmas has long since been healed, the great irony remains: in his efforts to defile the holiday spirit of the dwarves, Krampuscan only ended up giving the dwarves even more reason to spread festive cheer.
Novak Djokovic having his Visa rejected and ultimately being detained in the Park Hotel, in Carlton, where dozens of refugees have been detained for a number of years - has brought international attention to the Australian government's treatment of people seeking asylum.
Rally initiated by the Refugee Action Collective and supported by numerous other groups.
My website: www.matthrkac.com.au
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/matt.hrkac/
And Facebook: www.facebook.com/MattHrkac
Support my work: paypal.me/matthrkac
I went to Antioch today to ultimately drop the kids (minus Valerie) off with Mom and Dad so I could go to Oakley for Greg's wedding celebration. He got married recently, but since the wedding was in Mexico, it wasn't possible for me (and many others) to attend. Naturally Paul was there too so I had to get a picture with my boys. I hadn't seen either of them in a while and it was great meeting Greg's wife.
The way your day begins will ultimately specify it. We have all experienced those early mornings where we awaken and also points just do not go our way. That feeling of having actually gotten off on the ideal foot remains with us all day, and also it brings adverse power into our day we would...
www.yogaadvise.com/how-to-set-yourself-up-for-a-more-posi...
Agate ("Fairburn Agate") from the Black Hills of western South Dakota, USA. (public display, South Dakota School of Mines Museum of Geology, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA)
"Agate" is a rockhound/collector term for cavities in rocks (usually sedimentary rocks such as limestone or igneous rocks such as basalt) that have been partially or completely filled with irregularly concentric layers of microcrystalline, fibrous quartz (chalcedony - SiO2). Agate is quartz.
Attractive, multicolored and multipatterned agate has long been collected from a large area near the towns of Fairburn and Interior and south of the town of Kadoka and in the White River Badlands. This region has surficial, loose, late Cenozoic-aged gravels derived from weathering and erosion of bedrock in the Black Hills. Some of this gravel is agate. The Fairburn-area agates are remarkably colorful and desirable. The highest-quality examples have sold in the past for between 10,000 and 20,000 American dollars.
Studies have shown that Fairburn Agate is ultimately derived from limestones of the Minnelusa Formation (Upper Pennsylvanian to Lower Permian), which outcrops in the nearby Black Hills.
THE GREAT BATTLE OF GOTMAS.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and Happy Holidays to those who don't! When I made my recent habitat series, I initially wanted to make six, with one for each of these characters, but ultimately ran out of time. Still, I wanted to share them all with you anyways, so I hope you enjoy these festive (and not so festive) folks! If you're interested in the lore at all, read on!
While many people associate the dwarven holiday of Gotmas with Father Gotmas(for obvious reasons), the holiday was originally a far less merry celebration. Translating in dwarvish to mean "day of triumph," Gotmas was a celebration of the victory that Gotramor and the Elysians brought to the dwarves when they ousted the old, warmongering dwarvish king, and fulfilled the promise of finally ending the Unending Wars. For centuries, it was a holiday celebrated with a great feast, though minus some of the revelry and fun decor. When Nikolaj Frostbeard began to see families down on their luck struggle to partake in any sort of preparation for a large feast, he decided to take the holiday a bit further.
After years of helping out struggling dwarves with treats, desserts, baked goods, and eventually even toys and gifts, he had become quite the hot topic. The cheer he was so resolute to spread drew the ire from even those that lie buried under the earth, forgotten by society. It's said that a Duergar from deep in the Underdark resented the Gotmas celebrations so much, he took it upon himself to ruin them one year. The Duergar—known as Vladimir Krampuscan—heard tale of Nikolaj's exploits, sourcing all of his gifts and merriment from a "Realm of Wishes," and decided to venture there himself.
Vlad decided one day, when Nikolaj was on his way to enter the Realm of Wishes, to sabotage his mission and venture in after him, though he failed to properly account for the manner of Nikolaj's portal. Taunting the dwarf, he warned that Gotmas would cease to be, and tackled Nikolaj through the wormhole. Without a specific setting in mind as he crossed through, however, he plunged into darkness, tumbled through time and space, and fell unconscious. When he finally came to in the Realm, he discovered himself in a place where all the extremes had collided, and wishes that defied one another came to do battle. The opposing wishes chose to align themselves with two primordial forces, whose endless battle was thought impossible to resolve.
Krampuscan stood before a world half frozen by the harrowing winds of winter, and half ablaze with the scorching flames of summer heat. It was there that he met the Miser of Heat and the Miser of Snow. In a twisted turn of fate, he was somehow able to persuade them to pause their conflict, and direct their war and aggression elsewhere—somewhere their destructive might and potential could actually be realized. Now with command over ice and flames, Vladimir carved a portal into the ground, and brought his newfound allies into the world whence he came, ready to destroy Gotmas once and for all.
It is said that in his ambush, Nikolaj landed in a distant region in the Realm of Wishes, and had to venture a long, long way back to his workshop, the place from where he could return to his world. Along the way, he met a couple of allies who swore to help him, believing in his cause. Vixenia and Merry, thus, joined Nikolaj and journeyed far to reach his workshop. Stepping through his portal, he found his home in turmoil.
The city was besieged by Krampuscan and his sinister allies, spreading their destruction throughout the streets. Houses burned, shops froze over, and Nikolaj's people suffered. He took up arms, resolving to slay the Duergar and the interlopers, or die trying. When it seemed that all hope was lost, and ol' Frostbeard would meet his end that day, he was joined by two familiar friends.
Vixenia and Merry had journeyed from their world to his, to aid him in his fight to save Gotmas. An epic battle ensued, which inspired many a Gotmas song, and the tides had finally been turned. With Vixenia's sage wisdom on the balance of nature, and Merry's sound persuasive abilities and quick thinking, the Misers of Heat and Snow were once again pitted against each other, as Nikolaj delivered the final blow to Krampuscan. It is said the Defiler of Gotmas evaporated as Nikolaj's sacred hammer swung that final blow, leaving no body behind. With the remaining adversaries distracted by each other, the Guardians of Gotmas banished them back to their home plane, and ended the battle.
Vixenia and Merry stayed thereafter, aiding Nikolaj in his efforts to clean up the town, and restore his people's cheerful festive spirit, no matter how many years it took. The legendary exploits of Frostbeard earned him the moniker of "Father Gotmas," and dwarves all over the continent began to honor his bravery and mimic his gift-giving traditions. To most of the continent of Ridgar, Gotmas is simply a dwarven day of celebration and presents, but to dwarves themselves, it is a celebration of resilience, community, and the triumph of good over evil. While the damage of the Great Battle of Gotmas has long since been healed, the great irony remains: in his efforts to defile the holiday spirit of the dwarves, Krampuscan only ended up giving the dwarves even more reason to spread festive cheer.
[Sorry I haven't posted in a while, spent a lot of time working on the book]
I had a weird, disappointing, and ultimately good time out trackside today.
Got to my spot about 10:00 AM or so, then 20 minutes or so to hike out to my spot. Immediately the freights started coming. One after the next for a little while.
After a few freights, I texted my friend @railfanscajonpass that I was out there. This is a friend who benches 5-6 days a week, so I figured he was probably out somewhere close. He was, he pulled up like 20 minutes later and we hung out for an hour or two, and then he was off to hit up another spot.
After a while it seemed like the freights slowed down and I had some time before the next one. I hiked over I would guess 1/4 mile to a bridge spot that always has new graff. That spot also has one throw up that I always shoot because everyone who comes through there signs it. White outline and the black fill has probably 100 smaller (in size) names written in the fill. Every time I come up here there's new names. I've been flicking this for a couple years now. This time however, someone buffed and went over the entire piece and a piece next to it. What the hell ?!
Look, I'm not even a writer, but damn. Even I know that this wasn't right...
========
Later, I was at a different spot, and two dudes were acting super sketchy really close to where I was, which weirded me out enough that I hiked further down the tracks and this lead to something, I found another good view to catch the freights from. A little something different you might notice in today's photos. Turns out one guy was painting under the trestle, and the other guy kept coming up by me as a lookout. Whatever... I get out there to be away from people. So, I did. And found a new spot!
Caught a lot of great pieces today, got to hang out with my friend, and didn't get bit by any rattlesnakes! In the end, it was a good day.
========
Pick up a copy of my book if you can. Every little bit helps me out.
SoCal Freight Benching: Graffiti on Freight Trains - Vol.1
www.amazon.com/SoCal-Freight-Benching-Graffiti-Trains/dp/...
Saint-Malo came onto our radar by accident, as the destination of an ultimately undelivered guitar and the setting of a bestselling novel. After a dreamy morning in the medieval abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel, we decided to drive west to the citadel city.
Saint-Malo sits as it has for centuries: sticking out into the ocean, connected by a narrow neck of land to the rest of France, completely walled off. This area, with its prime geography, has been inhabited since ancient times. It was the birthplace and launching pad of the 16th century explorer Jacques Cartier, the first European explorer to sail up what is now known as Canada’s Saint Lawrence River, and was later known as a city of corsairs, or pirates. The symbol of the city is an ermine, a weasel-like creature wearing a little scarf who would have been great at ferreting out the rats of the ships in harbour. Although the city was almost completely destroyed at the end of WWII, it has been carefully rebuilt.
Walking the soaring walls, we turned one eye in to the fascinating architecture of symmetrical six-storey buildings, tiny lanes, brightly coloured grand hotels, and the cafés selling crepes and Kouign Amann, the culinary treats of Brittany.
The other eye was fixed out to the sea. Under a freshly scrubbed winter sky, it was easy to feel how the sea called those early sailors to set off into the wide blue horizon. With our cheeks painted pink by the wind and the sky painted gold with sunset, we were happy we had chanced to walk the walls of Saint-Malo one unforgettable afternoon.
Maeter came to us as Mae. Ultimately everyone realized that Mae needed a male name, so Mae-ter it was. The strongest of the kittens, he elbowed and clawed his way through feedings and his independence was obvious. He loved to play king of the hill with the pile of laundry in the corner, and he was almost always the winner (although Baby Jane often gave him a run for his money). Very healthy and independent (at least, compared to the others) he was often the kitten we compared the others to when trying to assess their condition.
Agate ("Fairburn Agate") from South Dakota, USA. (~3.15 centimeters across at its widest)
"Agate" is a rockhound/collector term for cavities in rocks (usually sedimentary rocks such as limestone or igneous rocks such as basalt) that have been partially or completely filled with irregularly concentric layers of microcrystalline, fibrous quartz (chalcedony - SiO2). Agate is quartz.
Attractive, multicolored and multipatterned agate has long been collected from a large area near the towns of Fairburn and Interior and south of the town of Kadoka and in the White River Badlands. This region has surficial, loose, late Cenozoic-aged gravels derived from weathering and erosion of bedrock in the Black Hills. Some of this gravel is agate. The Fairburn-area agates are remarkably colorful and desirable. The highest-quality examples have sold in the past for between 10,000 and 20,000 American dollars.
Studies have shown that Fairburn Agate is ultimately derived from limestones of the Minnelusa Formation (Upper Pennsylvanian to Lower Permian), which outcrops in the nearby Black Hills.
Closed store front selling the pleasures of smoking...and ultimately, death.
Besides taking a few candid shots of the parade and people and other things along the parade route, the theme for my shoot today seemed to turn into photographing interesting signs.
Particularly odd to me was that the parade was lead off by about a dozen Korean/Chinese entries which puzzled me. Colorfully dressed kid/adult dancers, former politicians, pastors, etc.
My thinking turned to the socio-economic and cultural evolution of neighborhoods. Areas that were all white, saw their neighborhoods change with the migration of coloreds, blacks, Negroes, African-Americans (choose your own term as the politically correct term changes thru time). Those areas are now seeing those of Spanish speaking heritage change neighborhoods. And, the South Koreans are now following the demographic evolution by changing neighborhoods. Perhaps that is what I saw in all these entries...a neighborhood changing from what was and is still almost 100% black to one that is more diverse.
UPS damaged the box that was delivered to us.
Ultimately, this unit was replaced with Advance RMA, where they send you the replacement before you send the original back. But I apparently sent the replacement back in the original box, the serial numbers didn't match, and so I was charged for a 2nd power supply. UPS sent it back, left it in the rain, box all the way soaked through. They just picked it up today (7/15), so this crap has been going on for almost two months now. I'm thinking UPS is going to pay me for my power supply. I don't want a replacement, I just want my $110 back. I don't NEED two power supplies!
UPS delivery, cardboard box, damaged package.
front yard, Clint and Carolyn's house, Alexandria, Virginia.
May 25, 2011.
... Read my blog at ClintJCL.wordpress.com
... Read Carolyn's blog at CarolynCASL.wordpress.com
[Sorry I haven't posted in a while, spent a lot of time working on the book]
I had a weird, disappointing, and ultimately good time out trackside today.
Got to my spot about 10:00 AM or so, then 20 minutes or so to hike out to my spot. Immediately the freights started coming. One after the next for a little while.
After a few freights, I texted my friend @railfanscajonpass that I was out there. This is a friend who benches 5-6 days a week, so I figured he was probably out somewhere close. He was, he pulled up like 20 minutes later and we hung out for an hour or two, and then he was off to hit up another spot.
After a while it seemed like the freights slowed down and I had some time before the next one. I hiked over I would guess 1/4 mile to a bridge spot that always has new graff. That spot also has one throw up that I always shoot because everyone who comes through there signs it. White outline and the black fill has probably 100 smaller (in size) names written in the fill. Every time I come up here there's new names. I've been flicking this for a couple years now. This time however, someone buffed and went over the entire piece and a piece next to it. What the hell ?!
Look, I'm not even a writer, but damn. Even I know that this wasn't right...
========
Later, I was at a different spot, and two dudes were acting super sketchy really close to where I was, which weirded me out enough that I hiked further down the tracks and this lead to something, I found another good view to catch the freights from. A little something different you might notice in today's photos. Turns out one guy was painting under the trestle, and the other guy kept coming up by me as a lookout. Whatever... I get out there to be away from people. So, I did. And found a new spot!
Caught a lot of great pieces today, got to hang out with my friend, and didn't get bit by any rattlesnakes! In the end, it was a good day.
========
Pick up a copy of my book if you can. Every little bit helps me out.
SoCal Freight Benching: Graffiti on Freight Trains - Vol.1
www.amazon.com/SoCal-Freight-Benching-Graffiti-Trains/dp/...
The U.S. Mission is sponsoring an exhibition of works by American Artist Ross Rossin. Today the artist and his team could be seen at the Palais des Nations mounting the 15 larger than life canvasses that are included in the show. The exhibit entitled 'Ultimately Humanâ centers around portraits of American human rights defenders such as Jimmy Carter, Maya Angelou, Ted Turner and others. If you would like to register for the official opening reception on Thursday, October 27 at 6:00 pm, please visit the following page:
www.unog.ch/unog/website/calendar.nsf/(httpEvents)/3541DCE296993913C125803B005AB068?OpenDocument
U.S. Mission Photo/Eric Bridiers;
BS - Bohanna Stables. Although ultimately made as a 'Kit Car' based on the Hillman Imp, the original 'Hillman Imp Jeep' was intended to be a series production car manufactured by Chrysler UK (who owned the Hillman brand at the time).
In the end just 42 examples were built. This example based on a 1964 Singer Chamois
[Sorry I haven't posted in a while, spent a lot of time working on the book]
I had a weird, disappointing, and ultimately good time out trackside today.
Got to my spot about 10:00 AM or so, then 20 minutes or so to hike out to my spot. Immediately the freights started coming. One after the next for a little while.
After a few freights, I texted my friend @railfanscajonpass that I was out there. This is a friend who benches 5-6 days a week, so I figured he was probably out somewhere close. He was, he pulled up like 20 minutes later and we hung out for an hour or two, and then he was off to hit up another spot.
After a while it seemed like the freights slowed down and I had some time before the next one. I hiked over I would guess 1/4 mile to a bridge spot that always has new graff. That spot also has one throw up that I always shoot because everyone who comes through there signs it. White outline and the black fill has probably 100 smaller (in size) names written in the fill. Every time I come up here there's new names. I've been flicking this for a couple years now. This time however, someone buffed and went over the entire piece and a piece next to it. What the hell ?!
Look, I'm not even a writer, but damn. Even I know that this wasn't right...
========
Later, I was at a different spot, and two dudes were acting super sketchy really close to where I was, which weirded me out enough that I hiked further down the tracks and this lead to something, I found another good view to catch the freights from. A little something different you might notice in today's photos. Turns out one guy was painting under the trestle, and the other guy kept coming up by me as a lookout. Whatever... I get out there to be away from people. So, I did. And found a new spot!
Caught a lot of great pieces today, got to hang out with my friend, and didn't get bit by any rattlesnakes! In the end, it was a good day.
========
Pick up a copy of my book if you can. Every little bit helps me out.
SoCal Freight Benching: Graffiti on Freight Trains - Vol.1
www.amazon.com/SoCal-Freight-Benching-Graffiti-Trains/dp/...
via
Hiring staff for your medical or dental practice is a significant investment in your time and money—but it’s worth it. Your receptionist, billing clerk, and office manager interact/perform necessary tasks and set the tone for your practice, ultimately enabling you to become successful. To your patients, the front office staff is the face of your practice, so you need professional workers who best represent you. Here’s how to find and hire the best staff for your practice.
1. Post an enticing ad
Create an appealing job listing that is specific about the job requirements and your practice. Include a straightforward title, summary, responsibilities, qualifications, work schedule, compensation, and performance expectations for evaluation.
Qualifications should specify exceptional communication skills, strong negotiating skills, a calm demeanor, and tech savviness.
Indicate the personality type that would best fit your practice.
Be creative (without being flip) when describing the work environment—the ad is marketing for your practice and should attract the right candidates.
Post to sites like Indeed.com, LinkedIn, and industry-specific job boards. Local colleges also have job boards for students and graduates who are searching for part-time or full-time work. Newspaper classifieds are also useful.
2. Plan to compensate generously
Invest in your staff and your profits will rise. Both pay and cross-training—enabling employees to learn skills that they can employ during so-called idle time—ensure higher levels of productivity and better service for your patients. “Pay more than your competition,” says Leslie Blackwell, a Richmond, VA-based dental practice office manager. “Several dollars more per hour can make a big difference in the caliber of employee you may be able to hire.” Use sites with pay estimates like Salary.com and Glassdoor for a baseline figure and offer more. This will elicit more qualified applicants and increase the likelihood your hire will be more satisfied and stay longer. It’s less expensive to retain happy staff than to deal with the lost productivity and time lost due to turnover.
3. Solicit referrals
Ask your current employees if they know someone good for the role you’re hiring. “Chances are good that they have worked in other offices and may have worked with great people in the past,” says Blackwell. Getting a referral is a cheaper and faster way to hire and generally produces a better hire. A referred hire typically stays at the job longer than a traditional hire; the same is true for the employee who successfully referred a candidate. Incentivize referrals with a bonus award program.
4. Look for applicants with relevant experience
Previous work in a similar practice is an obvious marker of an applicant’s suitability for a front office job, but don’t limit your search to this criterion. Many customer-facing service professions, like those in high-end hotels, restaurants, and banks, require traits and skills that are directly applicable to dealing with patients. “These people have been trained to understand that customer service is of prime importance, and have been taught the tools to bring that to their job every day,” says Dr. Edward Alvarez, a New York City-based cosmetic dentist. Individuals with experience in the military are also primed for the demands of a front office job. “They are disciplined, responsible, and have excellent work ethic,” Alvarez says.
5. Interview and pay attention to personality
More important than work experience and skill sets, personality cannot be trained. Front office staff should mirror your typical patient in terms of dress and demeanor. A sincere smile will go a long way towards making your patients feel comfortable when entering your practice. “A smile is a must,” says Florida-based dentist Katia Friedman. “We’re in the smile business.” Ask questions to determine the applicant’s attitudes regarding sensitive information (confidential to the patient), conflict and confrontation management (payment collection), professionalism, and organization. “I do role-playing,” Friedman says. “I pretend I’m a difficult patient or I have a specific question. How do they handle that situation?” Remember that you can train skills, so hire based on personality. “I look for the right mindset,” Friedman says. “I want someone interested in what our practice is about and in seeing us grow.”
6. Take note of everything
You can learn a lot about a candidate before you ask him or her your first interview question. “Look at the small things that your potential new hire does during the interview process to know how they’ll show up later,” says Dr. Meredith Sagan, a Santa Monica-based psychiatrist. “By watching how your candidate shows up for their initial interactions with you, you will know how they will show up for you and your office in the future.” Promptness in returning calls and emails, the ability to follow directions, and arriving at the interview on time, well-groomed, and ready to work demonstrate the type of employee the applicant will be.
7. Take your time
Dr. Katia Friedman
Finding and hiring a new employee can take as much as three months. Don’t rush the search process: plan to interview as many as 10 or 20 candidates before making a decision, and don’t settle for a hire that you don’t click with. “I interview a lot of candidates to make a hire—up to twenty before I make a decision on somebody,” Friedman says. “I’m happy to do it because sometimes I need to meet another person to get closer to what I really want. Of course, sometimes there’s a great connection right away, a perfect fit, and I don’t have to do that many.”
8. Talk to references
Before making a job offer, call the applicant’s references to confirm prior employment and work performance and to learn what his or her strengths and weaknesses are, what it was like working with him or her, why he or she left the previous job, whether the reference would rehire him or her, and anything else relevant to his or her suitability for the job you’re hiring for. Prompt references to address specific traits like punctuality, crisis management, work ethic, and how he or she handles mistakes.
9. Start a new hire with a probationary period
Some aspects of working in a practice’s front office may not be apparent to a candidate prior to starting work. Similarly, some traits of a hire might not have been obvious during your pre-offer interactions. Use a trial period to confirm there’s a good match for both you and the new employee. “A hire may have a stellar résumé and stellar references but is just not a good fit,” says Dr. Brian Levine, a New York City-based reproductive endocrinologist. “Have someone spend a day in the office. They’ll tell you if they don’t like what they see.” Then continue with an extended trial. “Do a 90-day trial period with all new front office staff,” Blackwell says. “Make it clear from the beginning that this is basically an extended interview. If you discover anything that concerns you during that trial period, don’t be afraid to part ways.”
See the Original Article at Zocdoc
teethinadayflorida.com/how-to-hire-the-best-front-office-...
Female labour force participation in India is not only low but has declined over the last decade or so. Women’s labour force participation has implications for their economic empowerment and, ultimately, efforts to promote inclusive growth and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is, thus, a priority for policymakers and stakeholders to take a comprehensive view to improve labour market outcomes for women.
On March 1, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Feminist Economist Saturday Discussion Group (FESDIG) brings together a rich panel discussion on India’s low female labour force participation. Dignitaries speaking at the event are M. Sathiyavathy, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment and Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog. The panel will be chaired by Prof Bina Agarwal, University of Manchester and will comprise of Prof Preet Rustagi, Institute for Human Development (IHD), Prof Santosh Mehrotra, Centre for Informal Sector and Labour Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Dr Ratna Sudarshan, Institute of Social Studies Trust, (ISST).
‘Transformation of Women at Work in Asia – An Unfinished Development Agenda’, an ILO-SAGE book, edited by Sukti Dasgupta and Sher Verick, will also be launched. It will be followed by a book discussion that will be chaired by Dr Sunita Sanghi, Adviser, NITI Aayog.
Based on original comparative research and extensive fieldwork, the book illustrates how the labour force participation of women in a number of countries in South Asia has either remained stagnant or has fallen. In East Asia the participation has declined from 70.8 per cent in 1994 to 63.3 per cent in 2014, and in South Asia it has fallen from 36.4 to 30.6 per cent over the same period. Gender gaps in labour force participation have been highest in South Asia. Findings show that women across the continent have contributed significantly to its spectacular growth story; yet, social norms and economic factors limit their levels of participation.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 IGO License. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/igo/deed.en_US.
First one of 2023 - the Tunshi Studios Mai Shiranui figure.
The P2 Genesis Emen version had a lot going for it, but ultimately many collectors weren't too thrilled with the overly cartoon heads sculpt. I mean, Mai isn't a real person, so that's why the TBLeague version didn't check off any boxes for me. But the Genesis version looked like a caricature of what Mai ought to look like.
That's why when the Tunshi Studios version was solicited, there was quite a bit of interest, though that price was kind of painful. Blogger photos showed they had worked on the sculpt even more since the preview days, and I'll admit even I decided to bite based on them.
Of course, I keep forgetting most people aren't as critical as I am.
Anywho, the package arrived on December 30th, and here we are.
So for those of you keeping track, there are technically for licensed Mai Shiranui figures - TBLeague, 2 x Genesis Emen, and Tunshi Studios.
I'm going to simplify the jumble of thoughts I have into this - based on discussion I've had, I've come to the conclusion that the Tunshi Studios version basically takes the TBLeague figure, plops on a new head, removes a pair of feet and adds on a some accessories and possibly some new hands.
The Umbrella is sturdy, being plastic with a metal rod, but there's only one hand that can hold the rod. The weight also makes your positing options limited to "resting on the shoulder".
The tassels feature an embedded wire for posing, but they're so weak they basically aren't going to be doing much.
The body is a TBLeague seamless S24. If you're familiar with Seamless bodies, you'll know that generally speaking, most poses aren't really an issues, though ankle and wrist range of motion isn't that great. There's always that issue with proportions (curves, muscles, and leg length) so that shouldn't surprise anyone.
Then we get to the head. The two expressions aren't too bad, though they are a bit difficult to aim correctly if you're trying to get them to look directly at the camera. What's disappointing is the quality of the paint work, especially considering not only the price, but also, the complexity, which is low compared to your typical sculpt from Hot Toys, which generally only cost this much AFTER the Sideshow markup.
So overall, I'd say that it's not a bad product, just overpriced. The Genesis version is cheaper, and though the head sculpt isn't perfect, you'll have budget leftover for a body upgrade, and the likelihood of a better headsculpt is more likely due to the larger, more standard socket size.
Is ultimately the only person you have to answer to.
I've been slipping through the years
And my old clothes don't fit like
They once did
So they hang like ghosts
Of the people I've been
Thanks ultimately to Postmaster William DeJoy's efforts to impede voting by mail, my Tannenbaum socks didn't arrive until Boxing Day, which meant I had cold feet on Christmas Day.
[Sorry I haven't posted in a while, spent a lot of time working on the book]
I had a weird, disappointing, and ultimately good time out trackside today.
Got to my spot about 10:00 AM or so, then 20 minutes or so to hike out to my spot. Immediately the freights started coming. One after the next for a little while.
After a few freights, I texted my friend @railfanscajonpass that I was out there. This is a friend who benches 5-6 days a week, so I figured he was probably out somewhere close. He was, he pulled up like 20 minutes later and we hung out for an hour or two, and then he was off to hit up another spot.
After a while it seemed like the freights slowed down and I had some time before the next one. I hiked over I would guess 1/4 mile to a bridge spot that always has new graff. That spot also has one throw up that I always shoot because everyone who comes through there signs it. White outline and the black fill has probably 100 smaller (in size) names written in the fill. Every time I come up here there's new names. I've been flicking this for a couple years now. This time however, someone buffed and went over the entire piece and a piece next to it. What the hell ?!
Look, I'm not even a writer, but damn. Even I know that this wasn't right...
========
Later, I was at a different spot, and two dudes were acting super sketchy really close to where I was, which weirded me out enough that I hiked further down the tracks and this lead to something, I found another good view to catch the freights from. A little something different you might notice in today's photos. Turns out one guy was painting under the trestle, and the other guy kept coming up by me as a lookout. Whatever... I get out there to be away from people. So, I did. And found a new spot!
Caught a lot of great pieces today, got to hang out with my friend, and didn't get bit by any rattlesnakes! In the end, it was a good day.
========
Pick up a copy of my book if you can. Every little bit helps me out.
SoCal Freight Benching: Graffiti on Freight Trains - Vol.1
www.amazon.com/SoCal-Freight-Benching-Graffiti-Trains/dp/...
A neat, though ultimately pointless, display outside Misono-za. I suppose at certain times of day it moves or changes or something, puts on a small automated show.
Pretty neat, though. I don't know when or why, but this particular pattern of green, orange, and black stripes is quite standard for the stage curtains in kabuki. The faces represent the different standardized forms of makeup (kumadori) for different characters.
Man’s reliance on nuclear power, ultimately, was the very dependency that would destroy everything. Humanity was notorious for its avarice. Every enterprise known to man employed penny-shaving tactics in business, and construction was certainly no stranger to that principle. When a construction company won a bid for a Pacific shoreline reactor, the cost-cutting practices went in effect immediately, affecting everything from materials to staffiing. The job was finished before deadline and far under budget, resulting in promotions for those in charge of the project, and a hefty profit for those financially invested in it. Things were good… for a while. The cheap materials and rushed cratsmanship didn’t hold up for long, as five years later, the reactor was put to the test during a meltdown… and the reactor failed, miserably. What came next was expected, and unstoppable.
Featured on Life In Plastic: nerditis.com/2015/11/18/life-in-plastic-toy-review-strang...
Saint-Malo came onto our radar by accident, as the destination of an ultimately undelivered guitar and the setting of a bestselling novel. After a dreamy morning in the medieval abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel, we decided to drive west to the citadel city.
Saint-Malo sits as it has for centuries: sticking out into the ocean, connected by a narrow neck of land to the rest of France, completely walled off. This area, with its prime geography, has been inhabited since ancient times. It was the birthplace and launching pad of the 16th century explorer Jacques Cartier, the first European explorer to sail up what is now known as Canada’s Saint Lawrence River, and was later known as a city of corsairs, or pirates. The symbol of the city is an ermine, a weasel-like creature wearing a little scarf who would have been great at ferreting out the rats of the ships in harbour. Although the city was almost completely destroyed at the end of WWII, it has been carefully rebuilt.
Walking the soaring walls, we turned one eye in to the fascinating architecture of symmetrical six-storey buildings, tiny lanes, brightly coloured grand hotels, and the cafés selling crepes and Kouign Amann, the culinary treats of Brittany.
The other eye was fixed out to the sea. Under a freshly scrubbed winter sky, it was easy to feel how the sea called those early sailors to set off into the wide blue horizon. With our cheeks painted pink by the wind and the sky painted gold with sunset, we were happy we had chanced to walk the walls of Saint-Malo one unforgettable afternoon.