I had hoped to find out a few details about the Lamp Manufacturing & Railway Supplies company who made this paraffin railway signal lamp, but unfortunately the internet seemed to be somewhat sparse on details, so I guess a more thorough investigation of company records etc would be needed.

 

Nevertheless, what can be said with certainty is that the company was in existence between 1923 when the railways were grouped into the “big four” and nationalisation in 1948, and possibly outside of this period.

 

I have seen railway lamps made by them badged both LMS and LNER so the company was clearly an independent concern.

 

The example shown is a Welch Patent model and as the brass plate suggests would have been one of a number of lamps kept at Charwelton on the London extension of the former Great Central Railway. On top of the lamp in embossed raised lettering is “LNER” for London & North Eastern Railway who took over the Great Central in 1923 when the UK’s railways were grouped into four large companies.

 

The lamp has had some restoration but could do with another light rub down as surface rust has started to appear. Originally the glass was broken / missing in both side panels, but fortunately the all important front glass was intact. The hinged top was also missing and had to be replaced (now in copper but this would originally have been made in mild steel).

 

The lamp itself would have resided in a cast iron outer case fixed onto a bracket on the signal itself. The outer case had a convex glass to magnify the relatively low light from the flame, and the carrying handle had to be pushed back to allow the lamp to be inserted into the case otherwise the case lid could not be closed. This ensured that the hinged top of the lamp flipped back thus allowing the heat to rise and be dispersed by the vented top of the outer case. Interestingly, some of the cases had a bimetallic strip in the lid whereby heat from the flame closed the contact of an electrical circuit to detect that the lamp was alight. Should the flame go out the circuit would be broken and an audible / visual alarm would be relayed to the signal box, although signals in clear view of the box were not normally light indicated so were not provided with this device.

 

The link to the photo below by Trains & Travel (John Cosford) shows the lamp room at Charwelton adjacent to the signal box before the whole site was demolished and swept away forever.

www.flickr.com/photos/trains-travel/49898441652/in/photol...

 

The Hornberg shooting is the event that has spawned the phrase "that goes like the Hornberg shooting". The phrase is used when an affair is announced with great fanfare but then nothing emerges from it at all and it ends without result.

Origin

Historians disagree as to whether the following events and explanations really underlie the known phrase. As with any etymological meaning that cannot be clarified with any certainty there are with the Hornberg shooting numerous legends about this phrase, the two below ones in relevant works being the most widespread. However, neither of these stories is historically accurate.

Duke visit

Cannon on the cobbles as an advertisement for the theater

In Hornberg anno 1564 Duke Christoph of Württemberg had announced himself. This one should be received with gun salute and full honors. When everything was ready, approached from afar a large cloud of dust. All cheered and the cannons roared like there was no tomorrow. But from the cloud of dust emerged only as a stagecoach. The same was happening then as a grocer carts and still much later a herd of cattle came towards the town. The lookout had given each time a false alarm and all the powder was fired when the Duke finally came. Some Hornberger tried to imitate the cannon by bellowing. Some reports even put the Duke visit on the end of the 17th century.

This version is regularly performed in summer on the outdoor stage in Hornberg as a folk theater.

Attack on Hornberg

According to the second version of the explanation the proverb refers to an event from 1519 when the city was attacked by the neighboring Villinger (Villingen, a city in the Black Forest not that far away). The Hornberger are said to have fired their ammunition in a short time so that the attacker just had to wait for the end of the cannonade to conquer Hornberg subsequently. This explanation goes back to the pastor Konrad Kaltenbach who describes it in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of Heimatklänge (Echoes of home) from ancient and modern times, a supplement to the Freiburger daily mail from 1915 and relies on historical sources (Villinger Chronicle 1495-1533 ).

Other versions

Early 18th century should have been in a free shooting in Hornberg such inconsistencies regarding the operation that gradually all the shooters left the festival and the planned shooting finally was dropped.

Use in the literature

Already Friedrich Schiller writes in his book The Robber (first edition 1781) in the first act: There it ended like the shooting at Hornberg and they had to withdraw with disappointed faces. Thomas Mann formulated in his narrative Man and His Dog (1918): "However, it may also be that the whole thing, after all the events and fussinesses, ends as the Hornberg shooting and comes to nothing." Hannah Arendt used the phrase in her book power and violence (1970): "However, this situation does not have to lead to revolution. It can first end with counter-revolution, the establishment of dictatorships and it can secondly end as the Hornberg shooting, it needs nothing to be happening".

 

Das Hornberger Schießen ist das Ereignis, das die Redewendung „das geht aus wie das Hornberger Schießen“ hervorgebracht hat. Die Wendung wird gebraucht, wenn eine Angelegenheit mit großem Getöse angekündigt wird, aber dann nichts dabei herauskommt und sie ohne Ergebnis endet.

Entstehung

Die Historiker sind sich nicht darüber einig, ob die folgenden Begebenheiten und Erklärungsversuche wirklich der bekannten Redewendung zugrunde liegen. Wie bei jeder nicht mit Sicherheit zu klärenden etymologischen Bedeutung ranken sich auch beim Hornberger Schießen zahlreiche Legenden um diese Redewendung, wobei die beiden nachstehenden in einschlägigen Werken als die am weitesten verbreiteten gelten. Allerdings ist keine der beiden Erzählungen historisch verbürgt.

Herzogsbesuch

Kanone auf den Pflastersteinen als Werbung für das Theater

In Hornberg hatte sich anno 1564 der Herzog Christoph von Württemberg angesagt. Dieser sollte mit Salutschüssen und allen Ehren empfangen werden. Als alles bereit war, näherte sich aus der Ferne eine große Staubwolke. Alle jubelten und die Kanonen donnerten, was das Zeug hielt. Doch die Staubwolke entpuppte sich nur als eine Postkutsche. Selbiges geschah dann, als ein Krämerkarren und noch einiges später eine Rinderherde auf die Stadt zukam. Der Ausguck hatte jedes Mal falschen Alarm gegeben, und alles Pulver war verschossen, als der Herzog endlich kam. Einige Hornberger versuchten, durch Brüllen den Kanonendonner nachzuahmen. Manche Berichte legen den Herzogsbesuch auch auf das Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts.

Diese Version wird regelmäßig im Sommer auf der Freilichtbühne in Hornberg als volkstümliches Theaterstück aufgeführt.

Angriff auf Hornberg

Der zweiten Version der Erklärung nach soll sich das Sprichwort auf ein Ereignis aus dem Jahr 1519 beziehen, als die Stadt von den benachbarten Villingern angegriffen wurde. Die Hornberger sollen in kurzer Zeit ihre Munition verschossen haben, so dass die Angreifer nur das Ende der Kanonade abwarten mussten, um anschließend Hornberg erobern zu können. Diese Erklärung geht zurück auf den Pfarrer Konrad Kaltenbach, der sie in den Nummern 3, 4 und 5 der Heimatklänge aus alter und neuer Zeit, einer Beilage zur Freiburger Tagespost aus dem Jahr 1915 beschreibt und sich auf historische Quellen beruft (Villinger Chronik 1495–1533).

Andere Versionen

Anfang des 18. Jahrhunderts soll es bei einem Freischießen in Hornberg derartige Unstimmigkeiten über den Ablauf gegeben haben, dass nach und nach alle Schützen das Fest verließen und das geplante Schießen schließlich entfiel.

Verwendung in der Literatur

Bereits Friedrich Schiller schreibt in seinem Werk Die Räuber (Erstausgabe 1781) im ersten Akt: Da ging's aus wie’s Schießen zu Hornberg und mussten abziehen mit langer Nase. Thomas Mann formuliert in seiner Erzählung Herr und Hund (1918): „Es kann aber auch sein, daß das Ganze, nach allen Veranstaltungen und Umständlichkeiten, ausgeht wie das Hornberger Schießen und still im Sande verläuft.“ Hannah Arendt verwendet die Redensart in ihrem Buch Macht und Gewalt (1970): „Dennoch braucht diese Situation nicht zur Revolution zu führen. Sie kann erstens mit Konterrevolution, der Errichtung von Diktaturen enden und sie kann zweitens ausgehen wie das Hornberger Schießen: es braucht überhaupt nichts zu geschehen.“

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornberger_Schie%C3%9Fen

Monastery and Cave of Saint Andrew the Apostle

Few things are known about the cave of Saint Andrew the Apostle. One of those things that can be said with certainty is that it was discovered in 1918 by Jean Dinu, a lawyer. After dreaming one night, he came in this area to find the cave in an advanced state of degradation. After cleaning it of the vegetation inside, he built a couple of cells and the first monks came in a short time.

It was sanctified in 1943 by the bishop Chesarie Paunescu but during the communist period it was destroyed and turned into a shelter for animals.

Only in 1990, with the blessing of IPS Lucian, father Nicodim Dinca, the monarch of Sihastria Monastery, along with the hieromonarch father Victorin Ghindaoanu, started to restore the cave and to build the monastery.

The cave shelters the icon of Saint Andrew, known as the apostle who christianized the lands at the North of the Danube. There is a bed carved in stone in a niche of the pronaos. It is said that that was used as a resting place by Andrew the Apostle. In the course of time this has been a place to light candles, and now it is used by those in need of comfort from disease. Here, the priests also read prayers for sick people and the Mass of Saint Basil the Great.

Today the monastery has a smaller church built during the years of 1994 – 1995, sanctified with the Holy Virgin’s Protection as its dedication day and the third bigger church was built during the years of 1998 – 2002.

In the small church are kept the relics of Saint Andrew. A cross in the shape of “X” can be found, on the left, in front of the altar of the smaller church. In the center of this cross is placed a part of the finger belonging to Saint Andrew. The finger was brought from the Trifiliei Metropolitan Church of Greece. On the four extremities of the cross there are the relics of the martyr saints of Niculitel from Dobrogea: Zoticos, Attalos, Kamasis and Filippos, Epictet the priest and Astion the monk.

Near the cave there is a spring about which the legend tells that it appeared after Saint Andrew struck the rock with his staff in search of water.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims come each year to the Cave of Saint Andrew and this made this place to be rightfully named the Bethlehem of Romanian people.

To get here, the pilgrims must first reach Cernavoda, afterwards head south to Ostrov. In the locality Ion Corvin, an indicator points them to a side road that takes them to the monastery in a forest, after 3 – 4 km.

Short biography

The Saint Apostle Andrew was the brother of Saint Apostle Petre. At first he and Saint Apostle and Evangelist John were apprentices of Saint John the Baptist. After the Resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus Christ and the Descent of the Holly Spirit, the apostles drew the chances on where to go to preach this faith, and Saint Apostle Andrew reached the area of the Black Sea, including Scythia Minor of the time or today’s Dobrogea. He secluded in that cave with two apprentices and he started to preach. He then went to the region of Kiev, and returned to Dobrogea. Because all went well, he headed to Patras in Greece where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of “X”.

  

Sorry for the lack of posts recently but I have been busy with work and away on holiday! I am now back home and this is the first from my trip to the US.This is a sunrise at Mono Lake, California. The rock formations are tufas, formed when mineral rich water enters the lake via underwater springs and as the lake has receded we now see the tufas above the surface.

 

Certainty © James Whitlock 2015 All right reserved.

 

Please visit www.jameswhitlockphotography.co.uk or www.facebook.com/jameswhitlockphotographyand as always comments always appreciated.

Follow me on:

  

@Flickr

@Google+

  

many thanks All for support !

  

Mount of Scauri (LT)

  

According to the thesis of scholars almost unanimously [1], the town's name has its origin from Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, princeps senatus, Roman Consul in 115 BC, the ancient port of Pirae owner (the name of the place previously) of a sumptuous seaside villa. A "possessio scauriana" spoken of in the Liber Pontificalis of 432 AD, by which Pope Sixtus III built the Liberian Basilica in Rome thanks to donations from a site in possession "territurio Gazitano" [2]. Consider that all the literary references, between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries., On the assumption of the name taken from the Console born not by historians, but by local canonical [3]. The later scholars (Jotham Johnson, Angelo De Santis, G. Tommasino, F. Coarelli, GM De Rossi, to name a few) reflect that view, citing the previous references. Possible that the town of Ausone "Pirae", along with that of Minturnae, was part of the Pentapolis Aurunca, although there are doubts about the precise location of the anti-Roman cities of the federation. Some one supposes that "Pirae" was nothing more than a castrum, a military outpost and commercial Minturnae same. Beyond the certainty of the location, the existence of Pirae is attested, in any case, four stones can still be seen today at the Museum of Minturnae. In fact, they cite four slaves of the gens Pirana (or Peirana). It should be remembered, then, the huge dolium, container used for storing wine or oil, fished in the 80s off Ventotene and guarded, still, in the Archaeological Museum of the island: its manufacture was the work of freedmen gens of the Pirani. Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia of the century. A.D. gives the already ruined ("oppidum fuit"), localizzandola between Formiae and Minturnae.

In the absence of direct evidence, the connection with the consul M. Aemilius Scaurus is supported by other evidence, including the correspondence between the history of the house and the era in which he lived the political (II-I century BC), the coincidence between the name and the cognomen of the console, the use of adjectives immemorial "scauriana" and "scauritano." It must be stressed, however, that the cognomen "Scaurus" and the adjective "scaurianus" you could bind at least three other noble: the Umbrici, the Aureli, the Terenzi, and that the term "scauritano," as reported by the scholar Castrichino, term is of medieval origin, which could refer to a people or citizenship. Also noteworthy is the "boundary stone" found in Castelforte (and now secure Minturnae) that mentions a Metellus. The family of Cecili amounted to Minturnae and Cecilia Metella was the wife of M. Aemilius Scaurus. To consider the term "Scaurus," you might, therefore, suppose a bond with the Umbrici Scauri, rich producers of the famous garum in Campania (swimming pools for fish farming were present in Monte d'Oro) [4].

  

Garum, villa Aulus Umbricius Scaurus, Pompeii; G (ari) F (los) SCAM (bri) SCAURI

Consider also that even the term "Scaurus" attracted to metal debris derived from the processing of metals (in this case, we have some news of metalworking in the area of the Roman Minturnae) [5]. According to another theory isolated [6], the origin of the name of Scauri would be connected with the Greek etymology: The name derives from "eskhara," which means burning brazier (relatively mild climate of the town or perhaps small dunes sand of the beach - basking in the sun - became hot). There is another Scauri in Pantelleria, but in this case the name of the place is attributed etymology of Greek origin (eskarion = port, berthing - scaro). The name of two towns would share so greek influences - Byzantine (Byzantine Duchy of Gaeta in our case) and relationships "conflicting" and trade with the Saracens.

A very recent case, two researchers Romans, wants the place to come from the early Middle Ages "scaula" (boat). The lexical form of Byzantine origin, would grow in its place thanks to his being a natural port on the Tyrrhenian Sea (see Salvatore Cardillo - Maximum Miranda, "Scauri them Scauli and the invention of the villa of Marcus Aemilius Scaurus," 2013). The recent historical essay suggests how the tradition that the name of Scauri be traced back to Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, Roman senator and consul, is likely to be a pure invention. In fact, the hypothesis that happen over the centuries in favor of the derivation of the name from the Roman senator and consul, lack of timely documentary evidence. The first that associates Scauri the "gens Aemilia" is Francesco Maria Pratilli known forger. From the shape scaula-ae, would form the male Scauli rhotacism that would lead to the name of the place. Interesting news was brought to light by the two scholars, that Pontius Pilate would be born in those places, news handed down by the Dominican theologian Thomas Elysium. It is theorized that the very territory of Scauri was the place near the Garigliano, from which the Saracens settled (around all'881) before heading into the terrible and devastating incursions inland (Montecassino itself was put to iron and fire in 883). The settlement buckwheat on the Garigliano was vanquished only around 915, after a long siege and a pitched battle. Recent excavations have unfortunately led to positive results. However, we continue to assume that it could be just the place Scauri pirate settlement. Conjecture rather striking: it would - together with the Saracen stronghold of Fraxinetum, today's La Garde-Freinet, the Gulf of Saint Tropez - the only witness to a settlement "sedentary", even if only for a few decades, the pirates Saracens in Europe [7] [8].

  

Overview of the natural park of the Golden Mount, Scauri from upstream Petrella - Natural Park of Monti Auruncis.

Monuments and places of interest [edit | edit source]

The ancient town of Pirae, Ausone source, you can see, today, a stretch of the boundary polygon (the megalithic walls) with the city gate (VII-VI century BC). This settlement was already in ruins at the time of Pliny the Elder (first century AD). Some scholars have theorized that it was Pirae a castrum, a defensive outpost and commercial center of Minturnae. According to J. Johnson, however, has not demonstrated that there is, in Minturnae, a gens earlier than the "Pirani".

Another theory says that instead Pirae (or Castrum Pirae) was born from a group ausonico that broke off from the original mountain Campovivo (Spigno Saturnia), colonized the place under the current Monte D'Oro. Pirae then became important maritime village, along with Sinuessa and Minturnae, and was devoted to seafaring and commercial activities, staying in frequent contact with sailors from the East (Phoenicians), Etruria, from the Sicilian coast and the Magna Grecia, reaching its peak in the late sixth century BC, when it was consolidated in a real polis linked to the city of Pentapolis Aurunca for ethnic affinity and ultimate reason of life and independence in the face of any piracy Greek sailors and invasions Etruscan and Samnite historical age. Pirae, as mentioned related to the Pentapolis Aurunca (obstinate enemy of Rome), had to cease to be independent around 314 BC, when Rome secured the final domain of all Latium. Then became a Roman colony, the town acquitted the important function of junction of nerve and commercial locations. The colony declined rapidly until it was completely abandoned, especially after the devastation suffered by the Lombards in 558 AD (common destiny in Lazio to all coastal locations, crushed inside by the barbarian invasions and the coast from Saracen raids). [9]

In Republican and Imperial periods in Pirae some seaside villas were built, one of which belonged, according to experts, the consul Marcus Aemilius Scaurus (162-90 or 89 BC) and of which there are still some ruins that are visible in the old neighborhood.

From the year 830, are several quotes of locations in the Codex diplomaticus Cajetanus. For example, in an act of the 993 shows the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, located in "port scauritano."

Later he was a production center, but still subject to raids. For defensive purposes arose the Square Tower (the Golden Mount) and that of Mills (in the old district), respectively, were erected in the sixteenth and fourteenth century to defend the coast. On 21 July 1552 the turkish corsair Dragut landed on the shore of Scauri and dragged into slavery 200 people in the surrounding areas.

All the archaeological evidence mentioned (except the Square Tower) are enclosed on private property, but fall in the Protected Area of Gianola-Mount Scauri, which is part of the Regional Park of Riviera di Ulisse. The Square Tower was built on the Golden Mount, converting a factory medieval, circular in shape. Recently acquired by the City of Minto, was restored to favor the creation of a bird observatory.

Religious Architecture [edit | edit source]

Pope Pius IX in 1850 crossed the Via Appia, after the exile to Gaeta. In the Ducal Chapel of Caracciolo Carafa family, from that moment, spread Marian devotion, culminating in the Patronal Feast of the Nativity of Mary (September 8). In 1931 the ducal chapel was elevated to the dignity and parish dedicated to St. Mary. Immaculate, on the initiative of the first parish priest of the town, Don Antonio Pecorino (1878-1950).

In 1954, on the occasion of the centenary of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, was built a statue of the Virgin by the sculptor Joseph Obletter South Tyrol, blessed at the Vatican by Pope Pius XII in 2003 and crowned by Archbishop Pierluigi Mazzoni, Archbishop of Gaeta. [10]

As a result of further development of the town, another parish was established in 1958, dedicated to the Virgin and Martyr Albina, to which he was entitled, in the past, a church, mentioned in the Codex diplomaticus Cajetanus since 981 and in a bull of Pope Adrian IV of 1158.

Cinema [edit | edit source]

To point out two characteristic places at the Monte d'Oro: the Blue Grotto and the Beach of Pebbles, which fall in the area of ​​Riviera di Ulisse Regional Park. The Beach of Pebbles is immortalized in the movie "For the grace received," starring Nino Manfredi (winner of the Cannes Film Festival in 1971), and in the drama "The Count of Monte Cristo" in 1998, starring Gérard Depardieu and Ornella Muti. Other scenes of the film were shot in a beautiful villa in Via del Golfo, in the area of "Scauri old." Yet at the Golden Mount dancing ballerinas in "Zibaldone" (2008), a film directed by and starring Umberto Del Prete.

Economics [edit | edit source]

The mill, the brick factories, beach tourism [edit | edit source]

Since ancient Scauri based its economy on agriculture, fishing and tourism. With the advent of the industrial age, factories were built of bricks, ceramics and paper mill, mentioned by the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his book The biography of Hackert, 1811.

  

Sign on the Appian Way at 150 km in the village of Minto Scauri recalling that there arose the mill mentioned in the biography of Goethe, Hackert

Supplier of the Kingdom of Naples, the mill Scauri family Merola, produced fine sheets for copperplate printing press and the real. The remains of the outer wall of the factory are still visible on the Appia, near the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Later, towards the end of the nineteenth century, two plants were built of bricks: Sieci and Head. Both factories were inheritors of an ancient activity: that of working with clay, already practiced by the "Gens Pirana." The former complex "Sieci" is now an example of industrial archeology, with its typical Hoffmann kiln. The Town of Minto, the property owner, has pledged to transform the old furnace into a cultural center. In 1996 he was presented with a large project and ristutturazione Ersilia by the recovery of the Russian, who was presented with a very important conference and exhibition in Minto. Up to now this project is still the largest organic and feasible proposal, not only for the recovery of the entire area, but also for the recovery of tourism and economic Scauri and surroundings.

Persons linked to Scauri [edit | edit source]

Dig is a tourist and commercial recovering the glories of the Roman who had consecrated as a recreation center of the patricians. The confirmation comes from the finding, on the coastal strip, to the ruins of Roman villas. During the Republican period, the consul Marcus Aemilius Scaurus chose to attend to his business and to enjoy a few days of relaxation. The signs of these "holidays Tyrrhenian" of the famous politician are now in the megalithic walls, where there are the ruins of his villa residential. Then began the tradition of tourism Scauri. Among the distinguished guests of the town in Lazio, the educator Maria Montessori, the explorer Umberto Nobile, singers, Francesco De Gregori and Anna Tatangelo actor-director Nino Manfredi and the then Cardinal Karol Wojtyla.

Today it is one of the most popular seaside resorts of South pontine. During the high season record 60-70 000 admissions into private accommodation in hotels and campsites. The pride and joy of the town of southern Lazio are the long beach, about 4 km away and the subject of a recent work of nourishment, and the Waterfront.

ITM1692074

  

Technology company

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigationJump to search

A technology company (or tech company) is an electronics-based technological company, including, for example, business relating to digital electronics, software, and internet-related services, such as e-commerce services.[1][2][3]

 

Details

According to Fortune, as of 2020, the ten largest technology companies by revenue are: Apple Inc., Samsung, Foxconn, Alphabet Inc., Microsoft, Huawei, Dell Technologies, Hitachi, IBM, and Sony.[4] Amazon has higher revenue than Apple, but is classified by Fortune in the retail sector.[5] The most profitable listed in 2020 are Apple Inc., Microsoft, Alphabet Inc., Intel, Meta Platforms, Samsung, and Tencent.[4]

 

Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc. (owner of Google), Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook), Microsoft, and Amazon.com, Inc. are often referred to as the Big Five multinational technology companies based in the United States. These five technology companies dominate major functions, e-commerce channels, and information of the entire Internet ecosystem. As of 2017, the Big Five had a combined valuation of over $3.3 trillion and make up more than 40 percent of the value of the Nasdaq-100 index.[6]

 

Many large tech companies have a reputation for innovation, spending large sums of money annually on research and development. According to PwC's 2017 Global Innovation 1000 ranking, tech companies made up nine of the 20 most innovative companies in the world, with the top R&D spender (as measured by expenditure) being Amazon, followed by Alphabet Inc., and then Intel.[7]

 

As a result of numerous influential tech companies and tech startups opening offices in proximity to one another, a number of technology districts have developed in various areas across the globe.[8] These include: Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Wadi in Israel, Silicon Docks in Dublin, Silicon Hills in Austin, Tech City in London; Digital Media City in Seoul, Zhongguancun in Beijing, Cyberjaya in Malaysia and Cyberabad in Hyderabad.

 

A startup or start-up is a company or project undertaken by an entrepreneur to seek, develop, and validate a scalable business model.[1][2] While entrepreneurship refers to all new businesses, including self-employment and businesses that never intend to become registered, startups refer to new businesses that intend to grow large beyond the solo founder.[3] At the beginning, startups face high uncertainty[4] and have high rates of failure, but a minority of them do go on to be successful and influential.[5]

 

Actions

Startups typically begin by a founder (solo-founder) or co-founders who have a way to solve a problem. The founder of a startup will begin market validation by problem interview, solution interview, and building a minimum viable product (MVP), i.e. a prototype, to develop and validate their business models. The startup process can take a long period of time (by some estimates, three years or longer), and hence sustaining effort is required. Over the long term, sustaining effort is especially challenging because of the high failure rates and uncertain outcomes.[6] Having a business plan in place outlines what to do and how to plan and achieve an idea in the future. Typically, these plans outline the first 3 to 5 years of your business strategy. [7]

 

Design principles

Models behind startups presenting as ventures are usually associated with design science. Design science uses design principles considered to be a coherent set of normative ideas and propositions to design and construct the company's backbone.[8] For example, one of the initial design principles is "affordable loss".[9]

 

Heuristics and biases in startup actions

Because of the lack of information, high uncertainty, the need to make decisions quickly, founders of startups use many heuristics and exhibit biases in their startup actions. Biases and heuristics are parts of our cognitive toolboxes in the decision-making process. They help us decide quickly as possible under uncertainty but sometimes become erroneous and fallacious.[10]

 

Entrepreneurs often become overconfident about their startups and their influence on an outcome (case of the illusion of control). Entrepreneurs tend to believe they have more degree of control over events, discounting the role of luck. Below are some of the most critical decision biases of entrepreneurs to start up a new business.[10]

 

Overconfidence: Perceive a subjective certainty higher than the objective accuracy.

Illusion of control: Overemphasize how much skills, instead of chance, improve performance.

The law of small numbers: Reach conclusions about a larger population using a limited sample.

Availability bias: Make judgments about the probability of events based on how easy it is to think of examples.

Escalation of commitment: Persist unduly with unsuccessful initiatives or courses of action.

Startups use several action principles to generate evidence as quickly as possible to reduce the downside effect of decision biases such as an escalation of commitment, overconfidence, and the illusion of control.

 

Mentoring

Many entrepreneurs seek feedback from mentors in creating their startups. Mentors guide founders and impart entrepreneurial skills and may increase the self-efficacy of nascent entrepreneurs.[11] Mentoring offers direction for entrepreneurs to enhance their knowledge of how to sustain their assets relating to their status and identity and strengthen their real-time skills.[12]

 

Principles

There are many principles in creating a startup. Some of the principles are listed below.

 

Lean startup

Lean startup is a clear set of principles to create and design startups under limited resources and tremendous uncertainty to build their ventures more flexibly and at a lower cost. It is based on the idea that entrepreneurs can make their implicit assumptions about how their venture works explicit and empirically testing it.[13] The empirical test is to de/validate these assumptions and to get an engaged understanding of the business model of the new ventures, and in doing so, the new ventures are created iteratively in a build–measure–learn loop. Hence, lean startup is a set of principles for entrepreneurial learning and business model design. More precisely, it is a set of design principles aimed for iteratively experiential learning under uncertainty in an engaged empirical manner. Typically, lean startup focuses on a few lean principles:

 

find a problem worth solving, then define a solution

engage early adopters for market validation

continually test with smaller, faster iterations

build a function, measure customer response, and verify/refute the idea

evidence-based decisions on when to "pivot" by changing your plan's course

maximize the efforts for speed, learning, and focus

Market validation

A key principle of startup is to validate the market need before providing a customer-centric product or service to avoid business ideas with weak demand.[14] Market validation can be done in a number of ways, including surveys, cold calling, email responses, word of mouth or through sample research.[15]

 

Design thinking

Design thinking is used to understand the customers' need in an engaged manner. Design thinking and customer development can be biased because they do not remove the risk of bias because the same biases will manifest themselves in the sources of information, the type of information sought, and the interpretation of that information.[16] Encouraging people to “consider the opposite” of whatever decision they are about to make tends to reduce biases such as overconfidence, the hindsight bias, and anchoring (Larrick, 2004; Mussweiler, Strack, & Pfeiffer, 2000).

 

Decision-making under uncertainty

In startups, many decisions are made under uncertainty,[4] and hence a key principle for startups is to be agile and flexible. Founders can embed options to design startups in flexible manners, so that the startups can change easily in future.

 

Uncertainty can vary within-person (I feel more uncertain this year than last year) and between-person (he feels more uncertain than she does). A study found that when entrepreneurs feel more uncertain, they identify more opportunities (within-person difference), but entrepreneurs who perceive more uncertainties than others do not identify more opportunities than others do (no between-person difference).[4]

 

Partnering

Startups may form partnerships with other firms to enable their business model to operate.[17] To become attractive to other businesses, startups need to align their internal features, such as management style and products with the market situation. In their 2013 study, Kask and Linton develop two ideal profiles, or also known as configurations or archetypes, for startups that are commercializing inventions. The inheritor profile calls for a management style that is not too entrepreneurial (more conservative) and the startup should have an incremental invention (building on a previous standard). This profile is set out to be more successful (in finding a business partner) in a market that has a dominant design (a clear standard is applied in this market). In contrast to this profile is the originator which has a management style that is highly entrepreneurial and in which a radical invention or a disruptive innovation (totally new standard) is being developed. This profile is set out to be more successful (in finding a business partner) in a market that does not have a dominant design (established standard). New startups should align themselves to one of the profiles when commercializing an invention to be able to find and be attractive to a business partner. By finding a business partner, a startup has greater chances of becoming successful.[18]

 

Startups usually need many different partners to realize their business idea. The commercialization process is often a bumpy road with iterations and new insights during the process. Hasche and Linton (2018)[19] argue that startups can learn from their relationships with other firms, and even if the relationship ends, the startup will have gained valuable knowledge about how it should move on going forward. When a relationship is failing for a startup it needs to make changes. Three types of changes can be identified according to Hasche and Linton (2018):[19]

 

Change of business concept for the start up

Change of collaboration constellation (change several relationships)

Change of characteristic of business relationship (with the partner, e.g. from a transactional relationship to more of a collaborative type of relationship)

Entrepreneurial learning

See also: Validated learning

Startups need to learn at a huge speed before running out of resources. Proactive actions (experimentation, searching, etc.) enhance a founder's learning to start a company.[20] To learn effectively, founders often formulate falsifiable hypotheses, build a minimum viable product (MVP), and conduct A/B testing.

 

Business Model Design

With the key learnings from market validation, design thinking, and lean startup, founders can design a business model. However it's important not to dive into business models too early before there is sufficient learning on market validation. Paul Graham said "What I tell founders is not to sweat the business model too much at first. The most important task at first is to build something people want. If you don’t do that, it won’t matter how clever your business model is."[21]

 

Founders/entrepreneurs

Main article: Organizational founder

Founders or co-founders are people involved in the initial launch of startup companies. Anyone can be a co-founder, and an existing company can also be a co-founder, but the most common co-founders are founder-CEOs, engineers, hackers, web developers, web designers and others involved in the ground level of a new, often venture. The founder that is responsible for the overall strategy of the startup plays the role of founder-CEOs, much like CEOs in established firms. Startup studios provide an opportunity for founders and team members to grow along with the business they help to build. In order to create forward momentum, founders must ensure that they provide opportunities for their team members to grow and evolve within the company.[22]

 

The language of securities regulation in the United States considers co-founders to be "promoters" under Regulation D. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission definition of "Promoter" includes: (i) Any person who, acting alone or in conjunction with one or more other persons, directly or indirectly takes initiative in founding and organizing the business or enterprise of an issuer;[23] However, not every promoter is a co-founder. In fact, there is no formal, legal definition of what makes somebody a co-founder.[24][25] The right to call oneself a co-founder can be established through an agreement with one's fellow co-founders or with permission of the board of directors, investors, or shareholders of a startup company. When there is no definitive agreement (like shareholders' agreement), disputes about who the co-founders are, can arise.

 

Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy refers to the confidence an individual has to create a new business or startup. It has a strong relation with startup actions.[26] Entrepreneurs' sense of self-efficacy can play a major role in how they approach goals, tasks, and challenges. Entrepreneurs with high self-efficacy—that is, those who believe they can perform well—are more likely to view difficult tasks as something to be mastered rather than something to be avoided.

 

Stress

Startups are pressure cookers. Don’t let the casual dress and playful office environment fool you. New enterprises operate under do-or-die conditions. If you do not roll out a useable product or service in a timely fashion, the company will fail. Bye-bye paycheck, hello eviction.

 

Iman Jalali, chief of staff at ContextMedia[27][unreliable source?]

Entrepreneurs often feel stressed. They have internal and external pressures. Internally, they need to meet deadlines to develop the prototypes and get the product or service ready for market. Externally they are expected to meet milestones of investors and other stakeholders to ensure continued resources from them on the startups.[28] Coping with stress is critical to entrepreneurs because of the stressful nature of start up a new firm under uncertainty. Coping with stress unsuccessfully could lead to emotional exhaustion, and the founders may close or exit the startups.

 

Emotional exhaustion

Sustaining effort is required as the startup process can take a long period of time, by one estimate, three years or longer (Carter et al., 1996; Reynolds & Miller, 1992). Sustaining effort over the long term is especially challenging because of the high failure rates and uncertain outcomes.[28]

 

Founder identity and culture

Some startup founders have a more casual or offbeat attitude in their dress, office space and marketing, as compared to executives in established corporations. For example, startup founders in the 2010s wore hoodies, sneakers and other casual clothes to business meetings. Their offices may have recreational facilities in them, such as pool tables, ping pong tables, football tables and pinball machines, which are used to create a fun work environment, stimulate team development and team spirit, and encourage creativity. Some of the casual approaches, such as the use of "flat" organizational structures, in which regular employees can talk with the founders and chief executive officers informally, are done to promote efficiency in the workplace, which is needed to get their business off the ground.[29]

 

In a 1960 study, Douglas McGregor stressed that punishments and rewards for uniformity in the workplace are not necessary because some people are born with the motivation to work without incentives.[30] Some startups do not use a strict command and control hierarchical structure, with executives, managers, supervisors and employees. Some startups offer employees incentives such as stock options, to increase their "buy in" from the start up (as these employees stand to gain if the company does well). This removal of stressors allows the workers and researchers in the startup to focus less on the work environment around them, and more on achieving the task at hand, giving them the potential to achieve something great for both themselves and their company.

 

Failure

The failure rate of startup companies is very high. A 2014 article in Fortune estimated that 90% of startups ultimately fail. In a sample of 101 unsuccessful startups, companies reported that experiencing one or more of five common factors were the reason for failure; lack of consumer interest in the product or service (42% of failures), funding or cash problems (29%), personnel or staffing problems (23%), competition from rival companies (19%) and problems with pricing of the product or service (18%).[5] In cases of funding problems it can leave employees without paychecks. Sometimes these companies are purchased by other companies if they are deemed to be viable, but oftentimes they leave employees with very little recourse to recoup lost income for worked time.[31] More than one-third of founders believe that running out of money led to failure. Second to that, founders attribute their failure to a lack of financing or investor interest. These common mistakes and missteps that happen early in the startup journey can result in failure, but there are precautions entrepreneurs can take to help mitigate risk. For example, startup studios offer a buffer against many of the obstacles that solo entrepreneurs face, such as funding and insufficient team structure, making them a good resource for startups in their earliest phases.[32]

 

Re-starters

Failed entrepreneurs, or restarters, who after some time restart in the same sector with more or less the same activities, have an increased chance of becoming a better entrepreneur.[33] However, some studies indicate that restarters are more heavily discouraged in Europe than in the US.[34]

 

Training

See also: Entrepreneurship education

Many institutions and universities provide training on startups. In the context of universities, some of the courses are entrepreneurship courses that also deal with the topic of startups, while other courses are specifically dedicated to startups. Startup courses are found both in traditional economic or business disciplines as well as the side of information technology disciplines. As startups are often focused on software, they are also occasionally taught while focusing on software development alongside the business aspects of a startup.[35]

 

“The best way of learning about anything is by doing.” – Richard Branson

 

Founders go through a lot to set up a startup. A startup requires patience and resilience, and training programs need to have both the business components and the psychological components.[36] Entrepreneurship education is effective in increasing the entrepreneurial attitudes and perceived behavioral control,[37] helping people and their businesses grow.[36] Most of startup training falls into the mode of experiential learning (Cooper et al., 2004; Pittaway and Cope, 2007), in which students are exposed to a large extent to a real-life entrepreneurship context as new venture teams (Wu et al., 2009).[13] An example of group-based experiential startup training is the Lean LaunchPad initiative that applies the principles of customer development (Blank and Dorf, 2012) and Lean Startup (Ries, 2011) to technology-based startup projects.

 

As startups are typically thought to operate under a notable lack of resources,[38] have little or no operating history,[39] and to consist of individuals with little practical experience,[40][41] it is possible to simulate startups in a classroom setting with reasonable accuracy. In fact, it is not uncommon for students to actually participate in real startups during and after their studies. Similarly, university courses teaching software startup themes often have students found mock-up startups during the courses and encourage them to make them into real startups should they wish to do so.[35] Such mock-up startups, however, may not be enough to accurately simulate real-world startup practice if the challenges typically faced by startups (e.g. lack of funding to keep operating) are not present in the course setting.[42]

 

To date, much of the entrepreneurship training is yet personalized to match the participants and the training.

 

Ecosystem

 

A startup ecosystem can contribute to local entrepreneurial culture.

The size and maturity of the startup ecosystem is where a startup is launched and where it grows to have an effect on the volume and success of the startups. The startup ecosystem consists of the individuals (entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors, mentors, advisors); institutions and organizations (top research universities and institutes, business schools and entrepreneurship programs and centres operated by universities and colleges, non-profit entrepreneurship support organizations, government entrepreneurship programs and services, Chambers of commerce) business incubators and business accelerators and top-performing entrepreneurial firms and startups. A region with all of these elements is considered to be a "strong" startup ecosystem.

 

One of the most famous startup ecosystems is Silicon Valley in California, where major computer and internet firms and top universities such as Stanford University create a stimulating startup environment. Boston (where Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located) and Berlin, home of WISTA (a top research area), also have numerous creative industries, leading entrepreneurs and startup firms. Basically, attempts are being made worldwide, for example in Israel with its Silicon Wadi, in France with the Inovallée or in Italy in Trieste with the AREA Science Park, to network basic research, universities and technology parks in order to create a startup-friendly ecosystem.

 

Although there are startups created in all types of businesses, and all over the world, some locations and business sectors are particularly associated with startup companies. The internet bubble of the late 1990s was associated with huge numbers of internet startup companies, some selling the technology to provide internet access, others using the internet to provide services. Most of this startup activity was located in the most well-known startup ecosystem - Silicon Valley, an area of northern California renowned for the high level of startup company activity:

 

The spark that set off the explosive boom of "Silicon startups" in Stanford Industrial Park was a personal dispute in 1957 between employees of Shockley Semiconductor and the company’s namesake and founder, Nobel laureate and co-inventor of the transistor William Shockley... (His employees) formed Fairchild Semiconductor immediately following their departure... After several years, Fairchild gained its footing, becoming a formidable presence in this sector. Its founders began leaving to start companies based on their own latest ideas and were followed on this path by their own former leading employees... The process gained momentum and what had once begun in a Stanford’s research park became a veritable startup avalanche... Thus, over the course of just 20 years, a mere eight of Shockley’s former employees gave forth 65 new enterprises, which then went on to do the same...[43]

 

Startup advocates are also trying to build a community of tech startups in New York City with organizations like NY Tech Meet Up[44] and Built in NYC.[45] In the early 2000s, the patent assets of failed startup companies were being purchased by people known as patent trolls, who assert those patents against companies that might be infringing the technology covered by the patents.[46]

 

Investing

 

Diagram of the typical financing cycle for a startup company

Startup investing is the action of making an investment in an early-stage company. Beyond founders' own contributions, some startups raise additional investment at some or several stages of their growth. Not all startups trying to raise investments are successful in their fundraising.

 

In the United States, the solicitation of funds became easier for startups as result of the JOBS Act.[47][48][49][50] Prior to the advent of equity crowdfunding, a form of online investing that has been legalized in several nations, startups did not advertise themselves to the general public as investment opportunities until and unless they first obtained approval from regulators for an initial public offering (IPO) that typically involved a listing of the startup's securities on a stock exchange. Today, there are many alternative forms of IPO commonly employed by startups and startup promoters that do not include an exchange listing, so they may avoid certain regulatory compliance obligations, including mandatory periodic disclosures of financial information and factual discussion of business conditions by management that investors and potential investors routinely receive from registered public companies.[51]

 

Investors are generally most attracted to those new companies distinguished by their strong co-founding team, a balanced "risk/reward" profile (in which high risk due to the untested, disruptive innovations is balanced out by high potential returns) and "scalability" (the likelihood that a startup can expand its operations by serving more markets or more customers).[citation needed] Attractive startups generally have lower "bootstrapping" (self-funding of startups by the founders) costs, higher risk, and higher potential return on investment. Successful startups are typically more scalable than an established business, in the sense that the startup has the potential to grow rapidly with a limited investment of capital, labor or land.[52] Timing has often been the single most important factor for biggest startup successes,[53] while at the same time it's identified to be one of the hardest things to master by many serial entrepreneurs and investors.[54]

 

Startups have several options for funding. Revenue-based financing lenders can help startup companies by providing non-dilutive growth capital in exchange for a percentage of monthly revenue.[55] Venture capital firms and angel investors may help startup companies begin operations, exchanging seed money for an equity stake in the firm. Venture capitalists and angel investors provide financing to a range of startups (a portfolio), with the expectation that a very small number of the startups will become viable and make money. In practice though, many startups are initially funded by the founders themselves using "bootstrapping", in which loans or monetary gifts from friends and family are combined with savings and credit card debt to finance the venture. Factoring is another option, though it is not unique to startups. Other funding opportunities include various forms of crowdfunding, for example equity crowdfunding,[56] in which the startup seeks funding from a large number of individuals, typically by pitching their idea on the Internet.

 

Startups can receive funding via more involved stakeholders, such as startup studios. Startup studios provide funding to support the business through a successful launch, but they also provide extensive operational support, such as HR, finance and accounting, marketing, and product development, to increase the probability of success and propel growth. [57]

 

Necessity of funding

While some (would-be) entrepreneurs believe that they can't start a company without funding from VC, Angel, etc. that is not the case.[58] In fact, many entrepreneurs have founded successful businesses for almost no capital, including the founders of MailChimp, Shopify, and ShutterStock.[59]

 

Valuations

If a company's value is based on its technology, it is often equally important for the business owners to obtain intellectual property protection for their idea. The newsmagazine The Economist estimated that up to 75% of the value of US public companies is now based on their intellectual property (up from 40% in 1980).[60] Often, 100% of a small startup company's value is based on its intellectual property. As such, it is important for technology-oriented startup companies to develop a sound strategy for protecting their intellectual capital as early as possible.[61] Startup companies, particularly those associated with new technology, sometimes produce huge returns to their creators and investors—a recent example of such is Google, whose creators became billionaires through their stock ownership and options.

 

Investing rounds

When investing in a startup, there are different types of stages in which the investor can participate. The first round is called seed round. The seed round generally is when the startup is still in the very early phase of execution when their product is still in the prototype phase. There is likely no performance data or positive financials as of yet. Therefore, investors rely on strength of the idea and the team in place. At this level, family friends and angel investors will be the ones participating. At this stage the level of risk and payoff are at their greatest. The next round is called Series A. At this point the company already has traction and may be making revenue. In Series A rounds venture capital firms will be participating alongside angels or super angel investors. The next rounds are Series B, C, and D. These three rounds are the ones leading towards the Initial Public Offering (IPO). Venture capital firms and private equity firms will be participating.[62] Series B: Companies are generating consistent revenue but must scale to meet growing demand. Series C & D: Companies with strong financial performance looking to expand to new markets, develop new products, make an acquisition, and/or preparing for IPO.

 

History of startup investing

After the Great Depression, which was blamed in part on a rise in speculative investments in unregulated small companies, startup investing was primarily a word of mouth activity reserved for the friends and family of a startup's co-founders, business angels, and Venture Capital funds. In the United States, this has been the case ever since the implementation of the Securities Act of 1933. Many nations implemented similar legislation to prohibit general solicitation and general advertising of unregistered securities, including shares offered by startup companies. In 2005, a new Accelerator investment model was introduced by Y Combinator that combined fixed terms investment model with fixed period intense bootcamp style training program, to streamline the seed/early-stage investment process with training to be more systematic.

 

Following Y Combinator, many accelerators with similar models have emerged around the world. The accelerator model has since become very common and widely spread and they are key organizations of any Startup ecosystem. Title II of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act), first implemented on 23 September 2013, granted startups in and startup co-founders or promoters in US. the right to generally solicit and advertise publicly using any method of communication on the condition that only accredited investors are allowed to purchase the securities.[63][64][65] However the regulations affecting equity crowdfunding in different countries vary a lot with different levels and models of freedom and restrictions. In many countries there are no limitations restricting general public from investing to startups, while there can still be other types of restrictions in place, like limiting the amount that companies can seek from investors. Due to positive development and growth of crowdfunding,[66] many countries are actively updating their regulation in regards to crowdfunding.

 

Investing online

The first known investment-based crowdfunding platform for startups was launched in Feb. 2010 by Grow VC,[67] followed by the first US. based company ProFounder launching model for startups to raise investments directly on the site,[68] but ProFounder later decided to shut down its business due regulatory reasons preventing them from continuing,[69] having launched their model for US. markets prior to JOBS Act. With the positive progress of the JOBS Act for crowd investing in US., equity crowdfunding platforms like SeedInvest and CircleUp started to emerge in 2011 and platforms such as investiere, Companisto and Seedrs in Europe and OurCrowd in Israel. The idea of these platforms is to streamline the process and resolve the two main points that were taking place in the market. The first problem was for startups to be able to access capital and to decrease the amount of time that it takes to close a round of financing. The second problem was intended to increase the amount of deal flow for the investor and to also centralize the process.[70][71]

 

Internal startups

Internal startups are a form of corporate entrepreneurship.[72] Large or well-established companies often try to promote innovation by setting up "internal startups", new business divisions that operate at arm's length from the rest of the company. Examples include Bell Labs, a research unit within the Bell System and Target Corporation (which began as an internal startup of the Dayton's department store chain) and threedegrees, a product developed by an internal startup of Microsoft.[73] To accommodate startups internally, companies, such as Google has made strides to make purchased startups and their workers feel at home in their offices, even letting them bring their dogs to work.[74]

 

Unicorns

See also: List of unicorn startup companies

Some startups become big and they become unicorns, i.e. privately held startup companies valued at over US$1 billion. The term was coined in 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee, choosing the mythical animal to represent the statistical rarity of such successful ventures. According to TechCrunch, there were 452 unicorns as of May 2019, and most of the unicorns are in the USA, followed by China. The unicorns are concentrated in a few countries. The unicorn leaders are the U.S. with 196 companies, China with 165, India with 107[75] and the U.K. with 16.[76] The largest unicorns included Ant Financial, ByteDance, DiDi, Uber, Xiaomi, and Airbnb. When the value of a company is over US$10 billion, the company will be called as a Decacorn. When the company is valued over US$100 billion, Hectocorn will be used.

 

friends Today first November saw bear room park questions too like sunny outside really door open letter nice brother watch movies iPad cookie pick up at mall sorry away watch movie This box from card came from cousin really cool trick! open happy blue or yellow as role as English teacher very important thinking house Who help get eyeglasses fail book shelf mom coming visit projects together about movie know where place live up mountains English teachers play golf learn year sorry think need lie down When see again Which these slippers are yours them give this them some give them some apples brought home people at mall today throw trash out into puppy ran into woods close your eyes see Did heard singing earlier your mum dad come party Could help with project now watch this cake better showed this bag shoes breakfast church read manual This home now two cheeseburgers more have some more milk shake these like these ribbons these ribbons first teacher also She was also best friend new have new shoes because am crying because I’m sad day Today National Friendship day more have more stickers at home use How use this no There’s no electricity now man There’s electrician outside looking rare unique furniture pearls dreams together well here Apple iPhone boots belong friend Macbook Microsoft EA tell which way go one She’s one he’s been waiting upset grandmother sick even She can’t even stand on own back I’ll right back Have had luck on your research good You’re good person woman That woman looks polished through Your faith see through tough times us go with us life This best day life child just saw child cross street by herself there Did go there work have go work down Let’s go down may take your seats after Let’s have dinner after work should buy this dress Call when get home okay world travel see world over can’t wait this day over school cousin goes school here think should go try nicer What’s that box as soon as get home I’m going start watching that Netflix Stan Hulu Roko series last This last slice cake promise! ask waiter bring some wine tonight! too need some wine too feel tired just need relax unwind three have three sisters when last time saw them state Check out state that shed roof falling apart never I’m never going drink wine again become Over years we’ve become really close between This just between high Give high five! really like your painting! something have something most She’s most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen another I’ll have another glass wine guys family are like family own get own place out Get out room leave put down that book listen old feel old! while wait here while shop mean didn’t mean sound angry on turn on lights keep keep lights on tonight student I’ve always been diligent student why This why don’t go out anymore kids! same shirt! big have celebrity big crush on Brad Pitt Taylor Swift Drake Kendrick William Bieber group sitting across table noisy huge project outgoing country Japan such beautiful country! help need help Math homework talk private where last night turn only could turn back time plenty person has own big goal fulfill start This great start learn English language hand Don’t let go hand might This might actually work American British French China culture dynamic show vacuum cleaner part This favourite part movie! about story about against am against domestic abuse! place This place wonderful! over She kept saying this over annoying person again play that game again few Just few more errands I’m done! case interesting case are working on now! most That’s most interesting story I’ve ever heard week had rough week company keep company going system What’s wrong with airport system each give each them apple right I’m right this time program This community program teens really helpful hear Did hear that so I’m sleepy question have question during session saw fall asleep work have work this weekend play play soccer next weekend instead government hope government does something about poverty this country run see bear here run your life small have small favour ask number have facebook youtube amazon weather walmart google wordle gmail target home depot google translate yahoo mail yahoo costco fox news starbucks food near me translate instagram Google maps walgreens best buy nba mcdonalds restaurants near me nfl amazon prime cnn traductor weather tomorrow espn lowes chick fil a news food zillow craigslist cvs ebay twitter wells fargo usps tracking bank of america calculator indeed nfl scores google docs etsy netflix taco bell shein astronaut macys kohls youtube tv dollar tree gas station coffee nba scores roblox restaurants autozone pizza hut usps gmail login dominos chipotle Google classroom tiempo hotmail aol mail burger king facebook login google flights sqm club maps subway dow jones sam s club motel breakfast english to spanish gas fedex walmart near me old navy fedex tracking southwest airlines ikea linkedin chase bank airbnb planet fitness spanish to english pizza google drive msn dunkin donuts capital one dollar general number favors ask off turn off television bring pepper spray with move Let’s move on next tourist spot like really like night night young live I’m going live like there’s no tomorrow Mr Morris here point have point believe hold Just hold hand today I’m going see today bring bring pen happen don’t submit your report on time next This next best thing without can’t live without phone go bed always wash face large There’s large amount data online about that topic all That’s all know about Dinosaurs million have million questions about this book must watch this movie together home go home now under hid it under bed water filled tub with water room at end corridor write prescription this mother very lovely woman area This area this house needs fixed national That virus has become national concern money She needs money buy medicine story She shared story media young She young hopeful fact It’s fact: shopping improve your mood month It’s that time month! different Just because she’s different it doesn’t mean she’s bad lot have lot explaining do right Turn right when reach corner study Let’s study English lessons together book borrow your English book eye She has pink eye job love job word Describe yourself one word are angry now I’m sure forget about this later business thriving issue This issue side Whose side are on anyway kind Always kind even strangers four There are four seasons year head Let’s head back it’s freezing out here far We’ve gone too far now we’re lost black She has long black hair long She has long brown hair both They both love chocolate ice cream little have two little boys with now house quiet without yes hope say yes after all this time has finally learned love since Ever since mom died has been cranky angry at world long That was such long time ago provide provide with list your services service have specific dental service treat this around went around block friend You’re good friend important You’re important father father important sit Let’s sit outside together away He’s away right when away power With great power comes great responsibility hour I’ve been checking temperature every hour game Let’s play game often buy from bakery as often as yet He’s yet home line There’s long line at grocery cashier political stay away from political discussions end It’s end era all pets Have ever tried this cake stand stand still minute bad did was bad lose can’t lose however buy this bag however need save up it first member She’s member babysitter’s club pay Let’s pay groceries law There’s law against jay-walking meet meet aunt car Let’s go inside car city This city that never sleeps almost I’m almost done with report include Did remember include summary your report continue continue working tomorrow set Great let set appointment later I’ll finish it later community community very tight knit much There’s much learn English language name What’s your name five give five reasons why need watch that video had puppy named Bark white love white sneakers least She’s least productive among all employees president She was class president back high school learn I’d love learn more about English language real real name change change that things get better team They hired team design their new office minute She’s laughing every minute every day best This best potato salad I’ve ever tasted several have several old clothes need donate idea It was your idea go beach remember kid loved that toy when was kid body She worked out hard achieve toned body information This information need nothing There’s nothing now ago Three years ago visited Japan first time right You’re right go back there lead Just lead way I’ll follow social feel awkward these social gatherings understand how feel big groups or small groups always feel little shy at first back Looking back knew was always introvert watch Let’s watch sun set on horizon together They’re together now follow I’ll follow home around You’ll always have around parent Every parent trying hard doing their best only are only allowed go out today stop stop that face Why your face red anything ask anything create Did create that presentation It was good public This public property already asked resend report speak Could speak little louder others others haven’t arrived yet read read somewhere that this house haunted level level are that game allow allow your kids play outside house add it okay add bit sugar tea office Welcome office spend How much did spend on your last shopping spree door left door open health must take good care your health person are good person art This work art sure Are sure this alone such are such brave little boy war war has finally ended history She history professor party Are going party tonight within support everyone within small community grow everyone grow thrive their careers result result this outreach program amazing open Are open teaching on weekends change Where change diaper morning It’s such beautiful morning! walk Come take walk with reason are reason came home low blood pressure has gotten really low win win this match work together research How your research going girl That girl class guy I’ve seen that guy school before early come work early every day food Let’s buy some food I’m hungry! before talk before go home moment moment she walked room puppy started jump dance again himself cooked this Turkey himself air am loving cold night air here teacher are best teacher ever force Don’t force play with other kids offer offer ride home enough Boys that’s enough playing today both both need change into your sleep clothes now education just get best education across Your dog ran across park although she felt tired she still couldn’t sleep remember think she still remember after ten years foot foot got caught one ropes second This second time she got late this month boy There’s boy class who keeps pulling have ice cream dessert toward took step toward able able send your report today age average marrying age these days off cat ran off with dog policy They have generous return policy everything Everything on sale love love you’re wearing! process Wait give time process everything you’re telling music love music including Around 20 people attended including Bob Beth consider hope consider project proposal appear How did that appear out nowhere actually I’m actually just heading out buy I’m going buy these shoes probably He’s probably still asleep human Give break only human wait it alright wait few minutes serve This blow dryer has served well years market Let’s visit Sunday market die don’t cat die let’s take vet send send package address expect can’t expect much from their poor service home can’t wait go home! sense did sense that something was okay build going build dream house stay stay with few weeks fall careful might fall oh Oh no left phone at home! nation have act as one nation plan What’s your plan this time cut Don’t cut your hair college met college interest Music interest mine death Death such heavy topic course course did take up college someone there someone who go with experience exciting experience! behind I’m scared check what’s behind that door reach can’t reach him won’t answer phone local This local business kill Smoking kill six have six books about Psychology remain These remain on top shelf effect Wow effect that mascara great! use use your phone yeah Yeah did call earlier suggest did suggest that class same English class control Where’s remote control raise It’s challenging discipline kids these days care don’t care about think perhaps Perhaps arrive at compromise little There’s little bird outside window late am running late doctor’s appointment hard That test was hard field He’s over there by soccer field else anyone else coming pass pass by grocery store former She was former housemate sell sell your old couch online major It’s major issue project sometimes Sometimes forget turn off porch lights require They’ll require show your I D along tag along your road trip development This news development really interesting themselves They take care themselves report read report it was great! role She’s going play role Elsa better Your singing has gotten much better! economic Some countries are facing economic crisis effort government must make effort solve this up grades have gone up decide decide where eat rate How would rate hotel’s service strong They have strong customer service here! possible Maybe it’s possible change their bathroom amenities heart heart full drug She got patent drug she has created cure cancer show show how solve this puzzle leader are wonderful leader light Watch face light up when mention name voice Hearing mom’s voice all need right now wife wife away weekend whole have whole house myself police police have questioned about incident mind This relaxation technique really eases mind finally finally move out from old apartment pull baby niece likes pull hair return give tickles return free best things life are free military dad military price This price pay lying report Did report this police less am praying less stress this coming new year according According weather report it’s going rain today decision This big decision explain I’ll explain everything later promise son son cute! hope hope I’ll have son one day even Even they’ve broken up they still remain friends develop That rash could develop into something more serious view This view amazing! relationship They’ve taken their relationship next level carry carry bag town This town extremely quiet road There’s road that leads edge woods drive can’t drive there need walk arm broke arm during practice true It’s true I’m leaving company federal Animal abuse now federal felony! break Don’t break law better better learn how follow rules difference What’s difference between happiness contentment thank forgot thank pie she sent us receive Did receive pie sent value value friendship much international Their brand has gone international! building This building tall! action next action going critical full work load full now model great leader great model how things join wants join soccer team season Christmas favorite season! society Their society holding fund raiser because I’m going home because mom needs tax How much current income tax director director yelled ‘Cut!' early I’m too early appointment position position your hand properly when drawing player That basketball player cute agree agree! cute! especially especially like blue eyes record record minutes this meeting pick Did pick color theme already wear that you’re going wear party paper use special paper your invitations special Some special paper are even scented! space leave some space write down your phone number ground ground shaking form new island was formed after that big earthquake support need your support this project event We’re holding big event tonight official official wedding photos are out! whose Whose umbrella this matter does it matter anyway everyone Everyone thinks stole that file center hate being center attention couple couple on their honeymoon now site This site big! end It’s end era project This project file due tomorrow hit hit burglar with bat base All moms are their child’s home base activity musical activity suggest toddler star son draw star! table saw draw it while was writing on table need need enroll good preschool court There’s basketball court near house produce Fresh farm produce best eat could eat that all day American sister dating American teach love teach English lessons oil Could buy some cooking oil at store half Just half liter situation situation getting out hand easy thought said this was going easy cost cost fuel has increased! industry fuel industry hiking prices figure government figure out how fix this problem face can’t bear face this horrendous traffic again again street Let’s cross street image There’s image stored inside mind itself bike itself pretty awesome phone Plus it has phone holder either either walk or commute work data How simplify this data cover Could cover during emergencies quite I’m quite satisfied with their work picture Picture this: lake cabin lots peace quiet clear That picture clear inside head practice Let’s practice dance number piece That’s piece cake! land Their plane going land soon recent This most recent social media post describe Describe yourself one word product This favorite product their new line cosmetics doctor doctor wall post this up on wall patient patient much pain now worker She’s factory worker news saw that on news test have pass this English test movie Let’s watch movie later certain There’s certain kind magic air now north Santa lives up north love l love Christmas! personal This letter very personal open Why did open read it support support simply simply won’t tolerate bad behavior third This third time you’ve lied technology Write about advantages technology catch Let’s 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

ift.tt/29V9AS5 Online Business Listings Union City There are a number of reasons we think Local Directory Marketing is essential for your business. But first let me explain that it is not for every business. Businesses that do not service a specific location or do not have a physical address will be better served spending their marketing dollars in other locations. That being said, for practically every other business this will be a great value. There are so numerous ways to be found, but some of the top ways are Online search engine (like Google or YouTube and even Yahoo or Bing), Social Media Sites (Like Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn or Google+), and Local Directories (like Super Pages, Yellow Pages, Yelp, Merchant Circle-- and hundreds more). Local Directory Listings help you in a number of ways. First, if your business is on Local Directory Listings then your business website will have a far better possibility of showing up higher in search results page. Second, people really search these Local Directories to find your business (or another person who does what you do.) Particularly now that so numerous people search with their phones, local directory listings become increasingly more essential. Those sites have a lot of weight in online search engine. It is easy for an algorithm to inspect to see if your business is near the person who is searching. Third, if you do not claim, up to date and preserve your local listings, anyone can. Hopefully, you do not have an ex-spouse, competitor, or ex-employee who wants to cause damage to your business, but it is extremely easy to have dated or wrong info on your local directory listings. And lastly, there is a part of the Google Search algorithm that hardly anyone discuss and that is Citations. Citations are defined as discusses of your business name, address, telephone number, even if there is no link to your website. Other elements being equal, the business with the greater amount of citations will probably rank higher. They increase the certainty that the online search engine has your correct contact info and category.

--Vincent van Gogh

We do not possess the means to browse the future, and but we can predict with a significant amount of certainty that we will see a lot more significant cybersecurity incidents in 2016 and 2017.

The world’s cybersecurity capability is not able to advance in line with the escalating v...

First 1000 businesses who contacts honestechs.com will receive a business mobile app and the development fee will be waived. Contact us today.

‪#‎electronics‬ ‪#‎technology‬ ‪#‎tech‬ ‪#‎electronic‬ ‪#‎device‬ ‪#‎gadget‬ ‪#‎gadgets‬ ‪#‎instatech‬ ‪#‎instagood‬ ‪#‎geek‬ ‪#‎techie‬ ‪#‎nerd‬ ‪#‎techy‬ ‪#‎photooftheday‬ ‪#‎computers‬ ‪#‎laptops‬ ‪#‎hack‬ ‪#‎screen‬

 

honestechs.com/2016/03/13/building-a-brand-name-new-online/

To the man of our age nothing is as familiar and nothing as trite as words. Of all things they are the cheapest, most abused and least regarded. They are the object of frequent defilement. We all live in them, feel in them, think in them, but failing to uphold their independent dignity, to respect their power and weight, they turn waif, elusive—a mouthful of dust.

-Abraham Joshua Heschel, "The Dignity of Words", Man"s Quest for God

Tomb TT 40 is in the Theban necropolis at Qurnet Muraâi. This is one of very few tombs datable with certainty to the reign of Tutankhamun. The owner is called Amenhotep, but prefers to be called the most familiar diminutive of Huy; he undertakes the very important function of "King's Son of Kush, Overseer of the Southern Countries", in other words, he is Viceroy of Nubia.

The tomb of Huy is one of our major sources for understanding the functions of a Viceroy: the scenes showing presentation of the tribute to the sovereign and are exceptional examples of such work and created the reputation of this monument. Another interesting point is the mixture between 'classic' elements and others that recall the Amarna period - which had just ended.

 

In modern times, the chapel had long served as a stable; it is surmounted by now empty houses. Several attempts to cut fragments out of walls took place after the 1960s and have caused irreversible damage.

The Qurnet Mura'i Research Project was created in 1999 to revitalize the study of this necropolis and TT40 is again opened since this year for visitors.

You find a detailed description of the tomb on Osirisnet:

www.osirisnet.net/tombes/nobles/houy40/e_houy40_01.htm

Human resilience will push forward despite all. These Covid times are uncertain but the will to live and love and survive have always characterized the human species. No amount of cloud nor Corona will shake us enough as a collective , we shall eventually overcome.

WEEK 27 – Columbus Kmart Closing, Set 3

 

I can say with much better certainty that the empty aisle seen in *this* shot was previously part of the bath department, based on the fact that some of those blue posters littered on the bottom shelf here say things like “bathroom scales” or “bath acc…”. Most of the other signs advertise Kmart’s layaway, online, and pick up options.

 

I do wonder how popular Kmart’s (and Sears’s) Free Store Pickup programs are. Do people even use the services? As usual, I’m guessing that this is yet another innovative experiment that was rolled out long before it became popular among other retailers, but faltered/failed in execution. Believe it or not, Sears and Kmart have had a great number of innovations over the years that were simply too far ahead of their time to succeed (and, you know, the lack of customers plus the company’s ineptitude didn’t help matters, either).

 

MyGofer is one that comes to mind, which I was discussing with Northwest Retail recently. Another example is one I talked about on Discord, and it’s décor-based: tell me Target's 2013-debuted signage (still in use currently) doesn’t look exactly like Kmart's (experimental, failed) green décor from 2002, over a decade prior…

 

(c) 2020 Retail Retell

These places are public so these photos are too, but just as I tell where they came from, I'd appreciate if you'd say who :)

 

A sight I love - looking back knowing I'm headed out for new sights, sounds, and adventures. I'm hearing negative comments aimed at cruising but I can tell you with certainty that the Triumph sailed full because everyone onboard knew they were headed for a fun filled trip full of new experiences.

 

Carnival is a great cruise line! The fun in Carnival is good, family type fun and it's a pleasure to sail with them. They're one of my 3 favorites.

 

Finally getting a lot of my retirement goals in place and I've decided to slow down and enjoy life a lot more. So now I'm going to take you on a journey through things I love and enjoy. Posting travel will be a major part of the journey but it only means I've been, not going. I have so many photos from travel that I haven't even viewed after going. The memory of the real sights is far stronger than the pictured memory in digital. Hang on ... I'll take you for the ride. This was taken from my favorite little weekend getaway ship - Majesty of the Seas, a RCL ship that goes to the Bahamas. She's small, simple, dates back to wooden trims and probably on RCL's kill list since Monarch has been sold. I just love her simple elegance!

I can tell you with absolute certainty that 100 years ago today this oven would have been fired up all day long.......January 6th is Ukrainian Christmas Eve.

 

Here is a bit of insight into what Christmas Eve must have been like back then:

 

Ukrainian Christmas festivities begin on Christmas Eve (January 6th) and end on the Feast of the Epiphany. The Christmas Eve Supper or Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper) brings the family together to partake in special foods and begin the holiday with many customs and traditions, which reach back to antiquity. The rituals of the Christmas Eve are dedicated to God, to the welfare of the family, and to the remembrance of the ancestors.

 

With the appearance of the first star which is believed to be the Star of Bethlehem, the family gathers to begin supper.

  

The table is covered with two tablecloths, one for the ancestors of the family, the second for the living members. In pagan times ancestors were considered to be benevolent spirits, who, when properly respected, brought good fortune to the living family members. Under the table, as well as under the tablecloths some hay is spread to remember that Christ was born in a manger. The table always has one extra place-setting for the deceased family members, whose souls, according to belief, come on Christmas Eve and partake of the food.

 

A kolach (Christmas bread) is placed in the center of the table. This bread is braided into a ring, and three such rings are placed one on top of the other, with a candle in the center of the top one. The three rings symbolize the Trinity and the circular form represents Eternity.

 

A didukh (meaning grandfather) is a sheaf of wheat stalks or made of mixed grain stalks. It is placed under the icons in the house. In Ukraine, this is a very important Christmas tradition, because the stalks of grain symbolize all the ancestors of the family, and it is believed that their spirits reside in it during the holidays.

 

After the didukh is positioned in the place of honor, the father or head of the household places a bowl of kutia (boiled wheat mixed with poppy seeds and honey) next to it. Kutia is the most important food of the entire Christmas Eve Supper, and is also called God’s Food. A jug of uzvar (stewed fruits, which should contain twelve different fruits) and is called God’s Drink, is also served.

 

After all the preparations have been completed, the father offers each member of the family a piece of bread dipped in honey, which had been previously blessed in church. He then leads the family in prayer. After the prayer the father extends his best wishes to everyone with the greeting Khrystos Razhdaietsia (Christ is born), and the family sits down to a twelve-course meatless Christmas Eve Supper.

  

There are twelve courses in the Supper, because according to the Christian tradition each course is dedicated to one of Christ's Apostles. According to the ancient pagan belief, each course stood was for every full moon during the course of the year. The courses are meatless because there is a period of fasting required by the Church until Christmas Day. However, for the pagans the meatless dishes were a form of bloodless sacrifice to the gods.

 

The first course is always kutia. It is the main dish of the whole supper. Then comes borshch (beet soup) with vushka (boiled dumplings filled with chopped mushrooms and onions). This is followed by a variety of fish - baked, broiled, fried, cold in aspic, fish balls, marinated herring and so on. Then come varenyky (boiled dumplings filled with cabbage, potatoes, buckwheat grains, or prunes. There are also holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), and the supper ends with uzvar.

 

The text was obtained here - www.brama.com/art/christmas.html

 

More on Ukrainian Christmas Eve - www.ukrcdn.com/2010/01/04/an-introduction-to-ukrainian-ch...

I do not offer answers, but enigmas.

The enigma is the only weapon sharp enough

to crack the prison of certainty.

 

My images are unresolved oracles,

open abysses into which you must fall

without the guarantee of return.

 

There, and only there,

you will be reborn.

 

When machines will have calculated everything,

when algorithms will have predetermined all,

only your body will remain; fragile, naked, irreducible.

 

I have photographed it, painted it, dissolved it, reinvented it,

not to possess, but to remind you:

in your vulnerability lies your sovereignty.

 

The body is your last kingdom.

Guard it.

 

I do not claim to save humanity.

But I leave behind a magnetic field,

a labyrinth of visions and whispers,

where you may rediscover what you have lost:

the sense of mystery.

 

Without mystery, there is no future.

Without shadow, there is no light.

Without fracture, there is no becoming.

 

Humanity, I am not your guide.

I am your dissident echo,

your memory projected into the impossible,

the silence that calls you back to listening.

 

If you wish to follow me,

seek no path.

There is none.

Only fractures.

Only shards of light.

  

Aeon Von Zark

People, chained by monotony, afraid to think, clinging to certainties... they live like ants.

 

-Bela Lugosi

sefarad galata lordu

 

ROB BREZSNY HOROSCOPE

WEEK OF JANUARY 8

 

Aries (March 21-April 19)

During his time in the Senate, former U.S. presidential candidate John McCain has been a strong advocate for Native Americans. As chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, he sponsored or co-sponsored seven bills in support of Indian rights. And yet Native Americans voted overwhelmingly for McCain's opponent, Barack Obama, who has no such track record. When asked why, Native American author Sherman Alexie said that unlike most other groups, Indians don't vote merely for their own narrow self-interest, but rather for the benefit of all. They felt Obama would be the best president for America. That's the standard I urge you to use in the coming weeks, Aries. Stretch yourself as you work hard for the greater good, not just your own.

 

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Hope "is not the conviction that something will turn out well," wrote Czech writer and politician Vaclav Havel, "but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out." That's the kind of hope I suggest you invoke during your current adventures, Taurus. Be hungrier for meaning than for any specific outcome. If you do that, ironically, the outcome is more likely to be one you feel pretty good about.

 

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Describing my writing, one critic said that I was "like a mutant love-child of Anais Nin and Jack Kerouac." That also happens to be an apt description of the spirit you should bring to life in the coming weeks. So be like the memoirist Anais Nin: a collector of secrets, a connoisseur of intimacy, a fiercely sensitive alchemist who knows her own inner terrain better than anyone else knows their inner terrain. And also be like the novelist Jack Kerouac: a free-wheeling, fast-talking, wide-open traveler in quest of the spirit as it makes its wild plunge into matter.

 

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

In giving the Nobel Prize for literature to French writer Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, the award committee praised him as an "explorer of a humanity beyond and below the reigning civilization." I suggest you consider doing some of that kind of exploring yourself in 2009, Cancerian. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will generate rich benefits for yourself by learning from people and influences that are beneath the notice of the mainstream, whether they're outside the box, off the grid, under the radar, or immune to the taint of the collective delusions.

 

Leo (July 23-August 22)

"Obstacles are a natural part of life, just as boulders are a natural part of the course of a river," notes the ancient Chinese book the I Ching. "The river does not complain or get depressed because there are boulders in its path." I'd go so far to say -- this is not in the original text, but is my 21st-century addition -- that the river gets a sensual thrill as it glides its smooth current over the irregular shapes and hard skin of the rocks. It looks forward to the friction, exults in the intimate touch, loves the drama of the interaction. Sound like a pleasure you'd like to cultivate, Leo? It's an excellent time to try it.

 

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Until last August, Nigerian religious leader Mohammadu Bello Abubakar had 86 wives. Then an Islamic council ordered him to divorce all but four of them. He was reluctant at first -- many of his 170 children were born of wives he'd have to separate from -- but since the alternative was punishment by death, he ultimately agreed. From the standpoint of your own evolution, Virgo, 2009 will be an excellent time to draw inspiration from Abubakar. I encourage you, in other words, to cull the excess and chaos from your love life. If you're single, narrow your focus down to a couple of fantasies rather than a wide variety. If you're in a committed relationship that's worth working on, swear off any possibility of cheating or escaping. In either case, perform an exorcism of all the ghosts that might threaten to distort your long-term romantic future.

 

Libra (September 23-October 22)

"It takes a lot of time to be a genius," said author Gertrude Stein. "You have to sit around so much doing nothing, really doing nothing." I agree with her statement, which is why I have high hopes that you're going to tap into more of your dormant genius in the coming days. The cosmic rhythms are nudging you to enjoy a time of profound slack, and I think there's a good chance you'll agree to that.

 

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

If you're an artist and you want to get steadily better at your craft, you need to continually refine your approach to telling the truth. The novelist Willa Cather said that. Now I'm here to invite you to adopt that strategy in 2009, whether you're an artist or simply a person who wants to live your life artfully. The coming months will be one of the best times ever for you to penetrate to the heart of the truths you aspire to live by and become highly skilled at expressing them in every little thing you do.

 

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

When gasoline prices soared last year, a Christian group called Pray at the Pump organized vigils at gas stations, where they prayed for God's intervention. No one knows if their efforts were the cause, but the cost of gas did begin to plummet soon afterward. Inspired by their work, I have asked my team of non-denominational Prayer Warriors to gather in your behalf. Every evening for the next ten days, they will be calling on their connections with the Divine Wow to help you Sagittarians come up with smart and practical long-term plans for your financial well-being. On your end, you can supercharge their efforts by doing the appropriate research and meditation.

 

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Please don't wear a t-shirt that says what I saw on the canary yellow t-shirt of the Japanese tourist at JFK airport: "Sorry, I'm a loser." I also beg you not to read Ethan Trex's book How to Seem Like a Better Person Without Actually Improving Yourself. It's very important, in my astrological opinion, that you not demean or underestimate yourself in the coming days. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that you have a sacred duty to exalt your beauty and exult in your talents. Now go read Walt Whitman's Song of Myself, and periodically murmur the first line all week long: "I celebrate myself, and sing myself."

 

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

While loitering on a sidewalk outside a nightclub in San Francisco on a September night back in 1994, I found the cover of a booklet lying in the gutter. Written by Marilena Silbey and Paul Ramana Das, it was called "How To Survive Passionate Intimacy with a Dreamy Partner While Making a Fortune on the Path to Enlightenment." Unfortunately, the rest of the text was missing. Over the years, I've tried to hunt down a copy of the whole thing, hungry for its wisdom, but have never had any success. I'm hoping that maybe you will consider writing your own version of the subject in the coming year, Aquarius. With the luck I expect you to have, you might actually be up to the task.

 

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Now and then you may be able to whip up a wonderful breakthrough in the blink of an eye. But more often it's the case that beauty and truth and love and justice emerge in their full glory only over the course of a painstaking, step-by-step, trial-and-error process. "All that I made before the age of 65 is not worth counting," wrote renowned Japanese painter Hokusai. "At 73 I began to understand the true construction of animals, plants, trees, birds, fishes, and insects. At 90 I will enter into the secret of things. At 110 everything -- every dot, every dash -- will live." At this juncture in your personal evolution, Pisces, it's a perfect time to re-commit yourself to your life-long work.

 

Seen in camera finder, Pentax K200D (Interesting), 1st Apr, 2011. Thanks!!

 

A common scenario of all the underdeveloped and developing nations. Children here take birth being under privilaged every second with no certainty of the challanging future. They grow up just because they will grow up and happiness is a term that they can only taste once in a while.

 

I've never tried to photograph anything that portrays sadness or hopelessness.. I am a color guy.. Then why this?? I took this one coz for a moment I thought that was one of those rare occassions when this little child found a reason to be happy.. She was chasing her elder brother I guess to show what she's got to play with..

 

Thanks everyone for viewing and your comments are largely appreciated.

Follow me on:

  

@Flickr

@Google+

  

many thanks All for support !

  

Mount of Scauri (LT)

  

According to the thesis of scholars almost unanimously [1], the town's name has its origin from Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, princeps senatus, Roman Consul in 115 BC, the ancient port of Pirae owner (the name of the place previously) of a sumptuous seaside villa. A "possessio scauriana" spoken of in the Liber Pontificalis of 432 AD, by which Pope Sixtus III built the Liberian Basilica in Rome thanks to donations from a site in possession "territurio Gazitano" [2]. Consider that all the literary references, between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries., On the assumption of the name taken from the Console born not by historians, but by local canonical [3]. The later scholars (Jotham Johnson, Angelo De Santis, G. Tommasino, F. Coarelli, GM De Rossi, to name a few) reflect that view, citing the previous references. Possible that the town of Ausone "Pirae", along with that of Minturnae, was part of the Pentapolis Aurunca, although there are doubts about the precise location of the anti-Roman cities of the federation. Some one supposes that "Pirae" was nothing more than a castrum, a military outpost and commercial Minturnae same. Beyond the certainty of the location, the existence of Pirae is attested, in any case, four stones can still be seen today at the Museum of Minturnae. In fact, they cite four slaves of the gens Pirana (or Peirana). It should be remembered, then, the huge dolium, container used for storing wine or oil, fished in the 80s off Ventotene and guarded, still, in the Archaeological Museum of the island: its manufacture was the work of freedmen gens of the Pirani. Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia of the century. A.D. gives the already ruined ("oppidum fuit"), localizzandola between Formiae and Minturnae.

In the absence of direct evidence, the connection with the consul M. Aemilius Scaurus is supported by other evidence, including the correspondence between the history of the house and the era in which he lived the political (II-I century BC), the coincidence between the name and the cognomen of the console, the use of adjectives immemorial "scauriana" and "scauritano." It must be stressed, however, that the cognomen "Scaurus" and the adjective "scaurianus" you could bind at least three other noble: the Umbrici, the Aureli, the Terenzi, and that the term "scauritano," as reported by the scholar Castrichino, term is of medieval origin, which could refer to a people or citizenship. Also noteworthy is the "boundary stone" found in Castelforte (and now secure Minturnae) that mentions a Metellus. The family of Cecili amounted to Minturnae and Cecilia Metella was the wife of M. Aemilius Scaurus. To consider the term "Scaurus," you might, therefore, suppose a bond with the Umbrici Scauri, rich producers of the famous garum in Campania (swimming pools for fish farming were present in Monte d'Oro) [4].

  

Garum, villa Aulus Umbricius Scaurus, Pompeii; G (ari) F (los) SCAM (bri) SCAURI

Consider also that even the term "Scaurus" attracted to metal debris derived from the processing of metals (in this case, we have some news of metalworking in the area of the Roman Minturnae) [5]. According to another theory isolated [6], the origin of the name of Scauri would be connected with the Greek etymology: The name derives from "eskhara," which means burning brazier (relatively mild climate of the town or perhaps small dunes sand of the beach - basking in the sun - became hot). There is another Scauri in Pantelleria, but in this case the name of the place is attributed etymology of Greek origin (eskarion = port, berthing - scaro). The name of two towns would share so greek influences - Byzantine (Byzantine Duchy of Gaeta in our case) and relationships "conflicting" and trade with the Saracens.

A very recent case, two researchers Romans, wants the place to come from the early Middle Ages "scaula" (boat). The lexical form of Byzantine origin, would grow in its place thanks to his being a natural port on the Tyrrhenian Sea (see Salvatore Cardillo - Maximum Miranda, "Scauri them Scauli and the invention of the villa of Marcus Aemilius Scaurus," 2013). The recent historical essay suggests how the tradition that the name of Scauri be traced back to Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, Roman senator and consul, is likely to be a pure invention. In fact, the hypothesis that happen over the centuries in favor of the derivation of the name from the Roman senator and consul, lack of timely documentary evidence. The first that associates Scauri the "gens Aemilia" is Francesco Maria Pratilli known forger. From the shape scaula-ae, would form the male Scauli rhotacism that would lead to the name of the place. Interesting news was brought to light by the two scholars, that Pontius Pilate would be born in those places, news handed down by the Dominican theologian Thomas Elysium. It is theorized that the very territory of Scauri was the place near the Garigliano, from which the Saracens settled (around all'881) before heading into the terrible and devastating incursions inland (Montecassino itself was put to iron and fire in 883). The settlement buckwheat on the Garigliano was vanquished only around 915, after a long siege and a pitched battle. Recent excavations have unfortunately led to positive results. However, we continue to assume that it could be just the place Scauri pirate settlement. Conjecture rather striking: it would - together with the Saracen stronghold of Fraxinetum, today's La Garde-Freinet, the Gulf of Saint Tropez - the only witness to a settlement "sedentary", even if only for a few decades, the pirates Saracens in Europe [7] [8].

  

Overview of the natural park of the Golden Mount, Scauri from upstream Petrella - Natural Park of Monti Auruncis.

Monuments and places of interest [edit | edit source]

The ancient town of Pirae, Ausone source, you can see, today, a stretch of the boundary polygon (the megalithic walls) with the city gate (VII-VI century BC). This settlement was already in ruins at the time of Pliny the Elder (first century AD). Some scholars have theorized that it was Pirae a castrum, a defensive outpost and commercial center of Minturnae. According to J. Johnson, however, has not demonstrated that there is, in Minturnae, a gens earlier than the "Pirani".

Another theory says that instead Pirae (or Castrum Pirae) was born from a group ausonico that broke off from the original mountain Campovivo (Spigno Saturnia), colonized the place under the current Monte D'Oro. Pirae then became important maritime village, along with Sinuessa and Minturnae, and was devoted to seafaring and commercial activities, staying in frequent contact with sailors from the East (Phoenicians), Etruria, from the Sicilian coast and the Magna Grecia, reaching its peak in the late sixth century BC, when it was consolidated in a real polis linked to the city of Pentapolis Aurunca for ethnic affinity and ultimate reason of life and independence in the face of any piracy Greek sailors and invasions Etruscan and Samnite historical age. Pirae, as mentioned related to the Pentapolis Aurunca (obstinate enemy of Rome), had to cease to be independent around 314 BC, when Rome secured the final domain of all Latium. Then became a Roman colony, the town acquitted the important function of junction of nerve and commercial locations. The colony declined rapidly until it was completely abandoned, especially after the devastation suffered by the Lombards in 558 AD (common destiny in Lazio to all coastal locations, crushed inside by the barbarian invasions and the coast from Saracen raids). [9]

In Republican and Imperial periods in Pirae some seaside villas were built, one of which belonged, according to experts, the consul Marcus Aemilius Scaurus (162-90 or 89 BC) and of which there are still some ruins that are visible in the old neighborhood.

From the year 830, are several quotes of locations in the Codex diplomaticus Cajetanus. For example, in an act of the 993 shows the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, located in "port scauritano."

Later he was a production center, but still subject to raids. For defensive purposes arose the Square Tower (the Golden Mount) and that of Mills (in the old district), respectively, were erected in the sixteenth and fourteenth century to defend the coast. On 21 July 1552 the turkish corsair Dragut landed on the shore of Scauri and dragged into slavery 200 people in the surrounding areas.

All the archaeological evidence mentioned (except the Square Tower) are enclosed on private property, but fall in the Protected Area of Gianola-Mount Scauri, which is part of the Regional Park of Riviera di Ulisse. The Square Tower was built on the Golden Mount, converting a factory medieval, circular in shape. Recently acquired by the City of Minto, was restored to favor the creation of a bird observatory.

Religious Architecture [edit | edit source]

Pope Pius IX in 1850 crossed the Via Appia, after the exile to Gaeta. In the Ducal Chapel of Caracciolo Carafa family, from that moment, spread Marian devotion, culminating in the Patronal Feast of the Nativity of Mary (September 8). In 1931 the ducal chapel was elevated to the dignity and parish dedicated to St. Mary. Immaculate, on the initiative of the first parish priest of the town, Don Antonio Pecorino (1878-1950).

In 1954, on the occasion of the centenary of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, was built a statue of the Virgin by the sculptor Joseph Obletter South Tyrol, blessed at the Vatican by Pope Pius XII in 2003 and crowned by Archbishop Pierluigi Mazzoni, Archbishop of Gaeta. [10]

As a result of further development of the town, another parish was established in 1958, dedicated to the Virgin and Martyr Albina, to which he was entitled, in the past, a church, mentioned in the Codex diplomaticus Cajetanus since 981 and in a bull of Pope Adrian IV of 1158.

Cinema [edit | edit source]

To point out two characteristic places at the Monte d'Oro: the Blue Grotto and the Beach of Pebbles, which fall in the area of ​​Riviera di Ulisse Regional Park. The Beach of Pebbles is immortalized in the movie "For the grace received," starring Nino Manfredi (winner of the Cannes Film Festival in 1971), and in the drama "The Count of Monte Cristo" in 1998, starring Gérard Depardieu and Ornella Muti. Other scenes of the film were shot in a beautiful villa in Via del Golfo, in the area of "Scauri old." Yet at the Golden Mount dancing ballerinas in "Zibaldone" (2008), a film directed by and starring Umberto Del Prete.

Economics [edit | edit source]

The mill, the brick factories, beach tourism [edit | edit source]

Since ancient Scauri based its economy on agriculture, fishing and tourism. With the advent of the industrial age, factories were built of bricks, ceramics and paper mill, mentioned by the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his book The biography of Hackert, 1811.

  

Sign on the Appian Way at 150 km in the village of Minto Scauri recalling that there arose the mill mentioned in the biography of Goethe, Hackert

Supplier of the Kingdom of Naples, the mill Scauri family Merola, produced fine sheets for copperplate printing press and the real. The remains of the outer wall of the factory are still visible on the Appia, near the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Later, towards the end of the nineteenth century, two plants were built of bricks: Sieci and Head. Both factories were inheritors of an ancient activity: that of working with clay, already practiced by the "Gens Pirana." The former complex "Sieci" is now an example of industrial archeology, with its typical Hoffmann kiln. The Town of Minto, the property owner, has pledged to transform the old furnace into a cultural center. In 1996 he was presented with a large project and ristutturazione Ersilia by the recovery of the Russian, who was presented with a very important conference and exhibition in Minto. Up to now this project is still the largest organic and feasible proposal, not only for the recovery of the entire area, but also for the recovery of tourism and economic Scauri and surroundings.

Persons linked to Scauri [edit | edit source]

Dig is a tourist and commercial recovering the glories of the Roman who had consecrated as a recreation center of the patricians. The confirmation comes from the finding, on the coastal strip, to the ruins of Roman villas. During the Republican period, the consul Marcus Aemilius Scaurus chose to attend to his business and to enjoy a few days of relaxation. The signs of these "holidays Tyrrhenian" of the famous politician are now in the megalithic walls, where there are the ruins of his villa residential. Then began the tradition of tourism Scauri. Among the distinguished guests of the town in Lazio, the educator Maria Montessori, the explorer Umberto Nobile, singers, Francesco De Gregori and Anna Tatangelo actor-director Nino Manfredi and the then Cardinal Karol Wojtyla.

Today it is one of the most popular seaside resorts of South pontine. During the high season record 60-70 000 admissions into private accommodation in hotels and campsites. The pride and joy of the town of southern Lazio are the long beach, about 4 km away and the subject of a recent work of nourishment, and the Waterfront.

Excerpts of STILL I RISE

by Maya Angelou (one of my favorite poets, who's also a historian, author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director)

 

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise

 

I rise

I rise

I rise.

  

*Thank you to the very creative and generous JoesSistah for the wonderful texture.

The history of Rovinj can with certainty be dated back to the 5th century, where a settlement called “Castrum Rubini” was mentioned to be situated at the Rovinj Island (the place where the old town of Rovinj is situated today). Although it can not be historically document, experts consider it to be most likely that settlement existed here, already in the 1 or 2 century when the Romans ruled in the area.

 

As the rest of Istria, the history of Rovinj is an almost never ending story of a city with changing ruler ships, but in between the city had also longer periods whit out changes in the ruler ships like when the Byzantine ruled from the beginning of the 6th to the end of the 8th century. Of course the longest “quite” period was under Venetian ruler ship, from the end of the 13th century to the fall of the Venetian republic by the end of the 18th century.

 

www.rovinj-croatia.net/the-history-of-rovinj/

In person and via photography, verified and corroborated with the most trustworthy, heavily credentialed, senior, and sane collectors I know--about a half dozen of them!!--that this "last cartouche" (the DAS is NOT a cartouche--no writing or letters! Check a dictionary for the old "Egyptian" correct definition and its basis if you doubt that... ) butt stock is authentic, albeit it's been sanded. Not too many dings. No cracks, no paint, weird Danish or other stampings...

 

The metal will be removed before I dump it for something I actually need.

 

Weirdly, this was about the very LAST item I was looking for or wanted when I stumbled across this, and upon cleanup, contacted the network of "usual suspects" because I no longer trust my eyesight on wood. Looking back, I doubt if I've seen two dozen of these. They're fairly close to being the least common of the letter cartouched butt stocks.

 

Last one I had was on an old D.C.M. rifle, from an estate, and had been surmarked with a DAS (Defense Acceptance Stamp). It, too, was absolutely authentic, and appeared on an all original rifle right in that low 4 million area where one would figure such things might've happened.

 

Anyway, it's a certainty, not some jiveass hissy fit guess. Strange find.

 

Authenticated and copyrighted photo. All rights reserved. No reference use or reproduction of any kind without express written permission. Criminal and civil statutes and all rights law WILL be enforced.

“The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there.”

 

Monica Baldwin

 

Dark is the world for me

For all its cities and stars.

If not for the certainty that God listens

to our cry,

who could stand so much misery,

so much callousness.

-Abraham Joshua Heschel, I Asked for Wonder (A Spiritual Anthology)

 

A typical street scene in "southern China", a busy market street in the Xiangqiao district of Chaozhou, close to the "Han Jiang" (Han River) in the center of the city

ID probable only, requires gen det for certainty

This Chapel is a sanctuary, a refuge for all journeys of the spirit, a home for the prayers of all who long for hope and peace.

 

Seekers and visitors are welcome, from any religious tradition or no tradition. Faith and doubt, convictions and questions, certainty and yearning, all belong in the sanctity of this space.

L sericea or atkis, can't ID females with certainty

1. "China and the United States are different in their stages of development, national conditions and historic footprints...", 2. "We cannot predict with certainty what the future will bring, but we can be certain about the issues that will define our times.", 3. 07/52: Tousle Me, Please... (photo featured in eXaminer), 4. Did You Miss Me, Flickr?, 5. 04/52: The Photographic Writer, 6. Above Descanso, 7. 03/52: Goodnight, Flickr!, 8. A Flower For MJ,

 

9. For You, Dad..., 10. 02/52: I Don't Ask Why, 11. Two And Two, 12. To Walk Away . . . Blue..., 13. Home Is Where My Summer Is, 14. La Jolla Cove, 15. 1/52: Painted With Flowers, 16. Dip It, Baby.,

 

17. She Speaks Flowers, 18. Textured Bicycle, 19. So, forget the bad economy. Let's all be happy we're alive! And believe - "There's a light that hangs from heaven.", 20. Let's Stop The World, 21. A Couple Of Bokeh, 22. "In the garden, my soul is sunshine.", 23. "A child's smile is one of life's greatest blessings.", 24. Grauman's Against Blue,

 

25. Just Title Me, Please... =), 26. Glowing In Gray, 27. Domesticated, 28. Towards The Sun, 29. That Bicycle, 30. "I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps.", 31. When people think you're smart, you're not supposed to make any mistake. If you do, it's carelessness and unacceptable. I think this is unfair. You're just smart, not perfect!, 32. Artist In Frustration,

 

33. "A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend.", 34. They say, "Time flies when you're having fun." But I stay young when I play with my little one., 35. Bokehlicious Sophiakeh, 36. Bokehful Abstraction, 37. Mother To Her Child, 38. Kids - Hows many times will they have to get sick before they turn into healthy grown-ups?, 39. Taxi Stop, 40. Nothing comes purer than a kiss from a child's lips to her mother's. It is the sweetest bonding, a reconnection after birth.,

 

41. Word Play On Staples Center, 42. "The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.", 43. "Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with vision is making a positive difference.", 44. Cinc-flu de Mayo, 45. Magic Above The Blue, 46. My Bokeh Moon Has Risen, 47. Rose Among The Flowers, 48. "Do not judge or you, too, will be judged...",

 

49. Mary Rose on Matrix Star, 50. We Let The Light Through, 51. Bokeh Illumination, 52. She's (NOT) Egg-Ok! :), 53. "Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness...", 54. My Little Pink Polka Dot Riding Hood, 55. "Where flowers bloom so does hope.", 56. "You have to have a dream so you can get up in the morning.",

 

57. "This solitary Tree!", 58. Chill'a At The Villa, 59. Purple Reigns, 60. Celestial Toy, 61. It's Sophia's Turn To Play, 62. Too Close, 63. "A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.", 64. “May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each morning and night.”,

 

65. Title?, 66. You take a picture without feelings. Then during post-process, two things are being developed - your photograph and your emotion., 67. Float On A Sea Of Bokeh, 68. Almost Spring (superhero-tagged), 69. Serious Kamoteus Garageus, 70. Vertigo!, 71. 'D Grand Pillow, 72. Our Ourania2005 Pillow

 

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Title.

Words and Flowers.

  

( LUMIX G3 shot )

Central Park, Manhattan, New York, USA. 2017. ... 9 / 9

(Today's photo. It's unpublished.)

  

Images:

The Beatles … Across The Universe

youtu.be/eqUzU552X8A?si=LDd91wXz4ROBUYco

  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

My new novel

B♭ (B Flat)

 

Volume 15 😄

The following is still in its draft stage and will be revised further.

Key parts are not disclosed.

The order of the content shown here is mixed.

(Of course, this is not the final version.)

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

My new novel

B♭ (B Flat)

The summer light of Manhattan afternoons flared against the glass facades of the high-rises, and each time the heat of the asphalt wavered through the alleys, the massive building of the FBI’s New York Field Office seemed to draw in the clamor of the city, holding a grave and immovable stillness, while within its walls a taut tension and vigilance seeped forth. Beyond the thick iron doors set into its corner, the countless eyes of surveillance cameras interlaced with the motions of guards, proclaiming an order unshaken by the heat waves or the murmur of the crowd outside.

Special Agent Veronica Reeves, carrying the weight of long years of experience yet with a gaze still honed to an unerring edge, sat at the long desk by the window, quietly deciphering the thick bundle of reports spread before her—accounts of what had unfolded thus far. The shafts of heat-laden sunlight pressed through the glass, warping the air, and against that trembling her thoughts held fast, focusing upon the minutiae, drawing out, in three dimensions, the possibilities of the case and the breadth of its consequences.

The figures and map symbols inscribed upon the documents she reassembled in her mind, as though enfolding the arteries of the overheated city itself—the courses of traffic, the currents of people, the compression of the skyline—ordering the incident’s first movements with a hand imbued with a quiet, frigid certainty. The sterile white light of the ceiling LEDs cast swaying shadows upon the papers, and even those faint tremors at the edges of her sight seemed to enter her calculus, like unknown variables absorbed into the mesh of her analysis.

Her fingertip traced a single point upon the map, and in that gesture she drew together the city’s flows, the density of its crowds, the thicket of its structures, conjuring within her mind a three-dimensional rendering of the ground. The clash of red and blue signals at intersections, the exhaust drifting at corners, the tempo of footsteps, the shadows of cars idling at the curb—all converged upon the figures and symbols of the page, lifting before her the living geometry of New York.

Fragments of reports crackled from radios and telephones, slipping into her net of thought and fixed into the coordinates of time and place. At what moment, in what place, had the current of the crowd shifted? Who might have slipped within which building? The jam of traffic, the swell of onlookers, the frameworks of the structures—these she aligned, reducing error to its smallest margin, until the hidden contours of the scene emerged.

Her eyes remained calm, but the faint tightening of the muscles around them betrayed the sense of danger running beneath. With her finger pressing upon a point on the map, she drew upon the memory of old cases, of the city’s blueprints, calculating risk along each imagined path. The city’s shape, the crowd’s density, the placing of exits—all she set upon a grid of logic, hypothesizing every possible turn the future might take.

Her gaze halted upon a photograph in the file, parsing the expressions of the crowd, the disposition of guards, the position of obstacles. Cold though her eyes remained, they missed no dissonance, no trace of the unnatural, intent upon catching every variable within the net of reason, undistracted by the fever of the summer city.

In the office, where the cool of the air conditioning crossed with the heat outside, her thoughts gathered speed—silent, assured, relentless. What would unfold next? Which routes were safe, which led into peril? Each decision, measured in the span of a heartbeat, bore upon the safety of the crowd, upon the life of the candidate. Her logic did not waver, its threads weaving together in her hand like cords unraveling the complexity of the city.

Before her stood not only the files, but also the glow of monitors, the static of radios. Each was but a source of fragments, meaningless until passed through the filter of her thought. To bind data to the streets, images to reality, was the task at hand, advancing cold and quiet even as the heat of summer pressed against the glass.

The sweltering air outside rattled the windows; the distant sirens and the rumble of the city did not shatter her focus, but rather deepened her mental simulation, lending depth to the field she constructed within. Figures on the page fused with the living breath of the streets, reason drawing them together into clarity, and she readied herself to strike upon the next move.

Each sweep of her fingertip across the map made the city’s avenues rise in relief within her mind: the density of buildings, the movement of passersby, the gaze of cameras, the stations of guards. All chained together, cold and inexorable, suggesting the next action. Veronica drew a long breath, and with her exhale, wove the scattered variables into a single fabric, fixing her gaze upon the heart of the incident. In that moment, the distant sirens, the horns, the shuffling of feet at a crosswalk—all dissolved into her reasoning, each sound settling into place like a piece of a puzzle within the flow of logic. The city shimmered in heat, light and shadow in feverish scatter, but her mind cut through the glare, quietly tracing the full outline of the unfolding event.

At last, Veronica lifted the receiver of the internal line, feeling the cold resin beneath her fingers, and summoned Deputy Special Agent Elliot.

“Put me through to Jack Vance, Secret Service.”

“Understood.”

 

The black Ford SUV cut through the summer heat, racing down the streets. At the wheel, Jack’s profile was set with strain, while in the backseat Ana leaned forward, arms stretched protectively over the children, shouting in desperation.

“Keep your eyes ahead, Jack!”

The children, jolted by the car’s violent tremors, cried out with voices that wavered between cheers and screams, unable to discern the line between fear and thrill. Beside them, Mika bit her lip, struck dumb, staring in mute shock.

Behind them, the pursuing car roared, bullets sparking off the asphalt and leaving the acrid tang of gunpowder in the air. Jack twisted the wheel, his Ford scraping sparks along a wall of concrete, gunfire rattling through the city’s very skin. Ignoring lights and crowds alike, he veered the SUV up onto the sidewalk, plunging forward as screams scattered into the air, driving on as if to outpace the terror that pursued them.

  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

My new novel:

B♭ (B-flat)

There’s still more to come. 😃

(This is not the final draft.)

Set in New York City.

  

14

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54771288620/in/dateposted...

 

13

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54769008619/in/dateposted...

 

12

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54758538180/in/dateposted...

 

11

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54743658539/in/dateposted...

 

10

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54737038151/in/dateposted...

9

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54720346098/in/dateposted...

8

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54713957969/in/dateposted...

7

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54703714420/in/dateposted...

6

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54696914108/in/dateposted...

5

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54686544606/in/dateposted...

4

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54653035442/in/dateposted...

3

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54639396885/in/dateposted...

2

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54628511025/in/dateposted...

1

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54599616429/in/dateposted...

 

Soundtrack.

music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b-my-novel-soundtrack/pl.u-47...

  

Note: I gave a brief explanation of this novel in the following video:

youtu.be/3w65lqUF-YI?si=yG7qy6TPeCL9xRJV

  

iTunes Playlist Link::

music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b/pl.u-47DJGhopxMD

 

My new novel:

B♭ (B-flat)

Notes

1. "Bombay Blood Type (hh type)"

•Characteristics: A rare blood type that lacks the usual ABO antigens — cannot be classified as A, B, or O.

•Discovery: First identified in 1952 in Mumbai, India (formerly Bombay).

•Prevalence: Roughly 1 in 10,000 people in India; globally, about 1 in 2.5 million.

•Transfusion Compatibility: Only compatible with blood from other Bombay type donors.

2. 2024 Harvard University Valedictorian Speech – The Power of Not Knowing

youtu.be/SOUH8iVqSOI?si=Ju-Y728irtcWR71K

3. Shots Fired at Trump Rally

youtu.be/1ejfAkzjEhk?si=ASqJwEmkY-2rW_hT

  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  

Title.

 

言葉と花々。

  

( LUMIX G3 shot )

  

マンハッタン。ニューヨーク。アメリカ。2017. … 9 / 9

(今日の写真。それは未発表です。）

  

Images:

The Beatles … Across The Universe　和訳

note.com/yutosn/n/na8a3ff93b391

  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

僕の新しい小説。

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

  

第15弾。 😄

以下は、まだ初稿の段階です。まだ推敲します。

重要な部分は公開していません。

公開している内容の順番はバラバラです。

(もちろん最終稿ではありません。)

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

僕の新しい小説。

 

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

 

　マンハッタンの夏の午後の光が高層ビル群のガラスにぎらつき、アスファルトの熱気が路地を揺らすたびに、FBIニューヨーク支局の巨大な建物は都市の喧騒を吸い込み、どっしりと静けさを保ちながらも、その内部に張り詰めた警戒と緊張をにじませていた。その角に設えられた厚い鉄の扉の向こうでは、監視カメラの無数の視線と警備員の動きが絡み合い、外界の熱波や人々のざわめきにも揺るがぬ秩序を守っていることを告げていた。

　ヴェロニカ・リーヴス特別捜査官は、豊富な経験を背負いながらもなお研ぎ澄まされた眼差しで、窓際の長机に広げられた、これまでに起こった報告がまとめられた資料の束を静かに読み解いていた。差し込んだ外光の熱の束が窓ガラスを透かし、空気を歪ませ、彼女の思考はそれに抗うように細部まで集中され、事件の可能性や影響範囲を論理の中に立体的に描き出していった。

　書類に記された数字や地図の記号を、熱せられた街の動線や人々の流れ、ビルの密集度までを含めるかのように頭の中で再構築し、事件の初動を論理的に整理していく手つきには、冷たくも静かな確信が宿っていた。

　天井のLEDの白い光が、紙面に落ちる影を揺らし、視界の隅で振れるその影さえも、未知の変数として分析に取り込まれているかのようであった。

　ヴェロニカは指先で地図上の一点をなぞり、都市の動線、人の密度、建築の密集度を瞬時に組み合わせ、頭の中で現場の立体的な状況を描き出していた。信号の赤や青が交錯する交差点、街角に漂う排気ガスの匂い、通行人の歩行速度、路上に停められた車の影――それらすべてが、紙面の数字や地図上の印と結びつき、ニューヨークという巨大な都市の立体的な動線を彼女の思考に浮かび上がらせた。

　無線や電話からの断片的な報告も、彼女の分析の網に吸い込まれ、時間と空間に配置される。どの瞬間に、どの場所で、人々の流れが変化したか。誰がどの建物に潜入した可能性があるか。交通の混雑状況と、観衆の動き、建築物の構造を組み合わせ、最小の推測誤差で現場の全貌を描く。

　彼女の瞳は冷静そのもので、しかし微細な筋肉の緊張が、その奥に潜む危機意識を示していた。手元の地図の一点を指でなぞり、過去の事件や都市計画のデータを呼び出しながら、シナリオごとにリスクを計算する。都市の構造、観衆の密度、出口の配置――あらゆる要素を論理のグリッドに沿って並べ、想像されるすべての事態を仮定する。

　ヴェロニカは資料の中の写真に目を留め、観衆の表情や警備員の配置、障害物の位置を詳細に分析した。その視線は冷徹でありながらも、微細な違和感や不自然さを見逃さず、都市の熱気に流されることなく、論理の網の中に全ての変数を捕らえようとしていた。

　冷房の空気と夏の熱気が交錯するオフィス内で、彼女の思考は静かに、しかし確実に速度を上げていく。次に何が起こりうるか、どのルートが安全で、どのルートが危険か。瞬間ごとの判断が、観衆の安全と候補者の命を左右する。論理は揺るぎなく、都市の複雑さを紐解く糸のように彼女の手の中で絡まり合った。

　彼女の前には資料だけでなく、コンピュータの画面や無線のディスプレイも並ぶ。それらは断片的な情報の源にすぎず、ヴェロニカの思考というフィルターを通すことで初めて意味を持つ。データと現実の光景を繋ぎ、事件の全体像を構築する作業は、夏の街の熱気の中でも冷たく静かに進行した。

　外の熱気は窓ガラスを揺らし、街のざわめきや遠くで響くサイレンは、彼女の集中をかき乱すどころか、逆に現場の臨場感を補強し、頭の中のシミュレーションに奥行きを与えた。紙面の数字と街の実像が、冷たい理性の中で重なり合い、彼女は次の一手を論理的に導き出す準備を整えていった。

　彼女の指先が地図をなぞるたび、都市の街路が脳内で立体的に浮かび上がり、建物の密度、通行人の流れ、監視カメラの視野、警備員の位置が、冷徹な論理の中で連鎖し、次の行動を示唆する。ヴェロニカは深く息を吸い、吐き出すと同時に、無言のうちに全ての変数を繋ぎ合わせ、事件の核心へと視線を固定した。その瞬間、遠くの街路から聞こえるサイレンの音や車のクラクション、交差点で立ち止まる人々の足音が、彼女の頭の中ではパズルのピースとなり、論理的な流れの中に溶け込んでいった。都市は暑さに揺れ、光と影が乱反射するが、ヴェロニカの思考は静かに、その熱気を透過して事件の全体像を描き出していった。

　ヴェロニカは、静かに内線電話の受話器を手に取り、その冷たい樹脂の感触を指先で確かめながら、エリオット副特別捜査官を呼び出し、いった。

「シークレットサービスのジャックバンスにつないで」

「了解」

 

ーーーーーー

　黒のSUVフォードは、夏の熱気を押し裂くように街路を駆け抜けた。ハンドルを握るジャックの横顔には焦燥が張りつき、後部座席に身を寄せたアナは、子供たちを庇うように腕を伸ばしながら、それでも必死に声を張り上げた。

「前を見て、ジャック！」

　車体の振動に身を揺らしながら、子供たちは歓声とも悲鳴ともつかぬ声をあげ、恐怖と興奮の境を知らぬままに叫んでいる。その隣でミカは唇を噛み、言葉を失ったまま呆然としている。

　背後では追撃の車が唸りを上げ、硝煙の匂いを残して弾丸がアスファルトを跳ねた。ハンドルを切ったジャックの車体がコンクリート壁面に火花が散らせた。都市の皮膚を削るようにして銃声が響く。ジャックのフォードは信号も人波も無視し、歩道へと飛び込み、群衆の悲鳴を振り払うように疾走した。

  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  

僕の新しい小説。

　B♭　（ビーフラット）

 

舞台はニューヨークです。

 

14

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54771288620/in/dateposted...

 

13

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54769008619/in/dateposted...

 

12

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54758538180/in/dateposted...

 

11

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54743658539/in/dateposted...

 

10

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54737038151/in/dateposted...

9

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54720346098/in/dateposted...

8

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54713957969/in/dateposted...

7

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54703714420/in/dateposted...

6

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54696914108/in/dateposted...

5

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54686544606/in/dateposted...

4

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54653035442/in/dateposted...

3

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54639396885/in/dateposted...

2

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54628511025/in/dateposted...

1

www.flickr.com/photos/stealaway/54599616429/in/dateposted...

 

Soundtrack.

music.apple.com/jp/playlist/b-my-novel-soundtrack/pl.u-47...

  

追記　この小説を多少説明しました。

youtu.be/3w65lqUF-YI?si=yG7qy6TPeCL9xRJV

  

メモ

 

1

「Bombay型（ボンベイ型、hh型）」

•特徴：通常のABO血液型を持たない（A、B、Oに分類されない）特殊な型。

•発見地：1952年、インド・ムンバイ（旧ボンベイ）で初めて確認。

•発生頻度：インドでは1万人に1人程度だが、世界的には約250万人に1人とも。

•輸血制限：同じBombay型しか輸血できない。

 

2

2024年ハーバード大学首席の卒業式スピーチ『知らないことの力』

youtu.be/SOUH8iVqSOI?si=Ju-Y728irtcWR71K

 

3

Shots fired at Trump rally

youtu.be/1ejfAkzjEhk?si=ASqJwEmkY-2rW_hT

  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  

Hard times may come, when the cross casts its shadow, yet nothing can destroy the supernatural joy that “adapts and changes, but always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved”.[[100]] That joy brings deep security, serene hope and a spiritual fulfilment that the world cannot understand or appreciate.

-Rejoice and be glad (Gaudete et Exsultate): Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness in Today's World, Pope Francis

   

Art nouveau stained glass window from the Smith Museum of Stained Glass at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. One of a set representing the four seasons; this is Summer. The designer is not known with certainty, but it is believed that Alphonse Mucha designed the four panels.

 

Tenuous Link: Art Nouveau.

lionsgate

 

I've photographed this bridge a lot. Always in the fog, I think. Even the same angles. I obviously have an affection for this bridge. I think it's combination of the name, vintage , style and the super cool art deco lions at the one end that are really hard to get a shot of that makes them look as cool as they are.

 

and also because the first time I crossed it on foot I found this

 

I've been back across since then and those words are gone. I feel like timing facilitated an unwitting collaboration. And that's pretty cool.

    

It’s been one year since I left my job. One year since I packed up my bobble heads, cleaned out my desk and walked out of a building that was my home away from home for three and a half years. I left a job that looks great on paper, security that I would always have more than enough (sometimes even too much) work to keep me busy and employed, and approval of my choice of profession in the eyes of my peers. I walked out of certainty, and into the unknown. No job lined up, no fixed income, no knowledge of where I was heading. All I knew was that it was time for me to leave, that God was calling me to get up and follow Him.

 

So I did. Through various part time jobs, continuous hours at a coffee shop, and whatever other little lines of payment that fell in front of me, I made it through the spring, then summer, and then the colder months. Sometimes I’d have multiple days off during the week, hanging on twentyish hours of work. Other times, it was seven days a week for months, sometimes working from early in the morning until late at night. But through all of the hours, or lack thereof, God was ever present and mindful of me. Gloriously enough, as I battled the horrific monster that was my checkbook, God provided just enough for me, exactly when I needed it, almost to the dollar. Whenever bill time arrived, God gave me the funds to pay. And so I got by month to month.

 

What I did isn’t exactly what some might call a “wise decision,” especially in these times of economic somersaulting. To walk away from what I had and make a u-turn to walk down the path of faith is unusual, and when I first started telling people I left my job, they looked at me with sympathy pooling in their eyes. They didn’t understand that it was actually my choice to leave, to follow a calling I felt was much bigger, by a boss who ruled not only my life, but the universe as well. There have been times where I have been questioned, where I’ve been made to feel like serving coffee wasn’t good enough, and asked when I would be getting a real job. My response to these people? I do have a real job. Because to me, going out and serving God in whatever way I can, however He calls me to live as His light, is the most real and awakening life I’ve been privileged to have.

 

Believe me, it hasn’t been an easy trek. There are times where I wonder if I’m doing the right thing, if I’m living out my life in a way that glorifies Him. I know He has something in store for me, and I have a tendency to strain my eyes down the road. But I can honestly say that I have never relied on Him more and taken satisfaction in the little moments He graces me with, because without His provision, and the affirmation that I am walking in His footsteps, I couldn’t get through the days that turn to weeks, which mold into months.

 

One of the most amazing things that I’ve been learning, and I’ll write it in stone because this is a definite learning process, is that He is faithful. He cares, and He comforts when some days it's doubt, and other days it's destiny, that battles within me.

 

Do I know where I’m going? Absolutely not. Do I know where I’ve come from? Most certainly. And the distance between these two places of my life is not measured by my accomplishments, but rather what God is able to accomplish through me. Because He’s in the driver’s seat; I’m just along for the ride.

  

***

Thanks to Lenabem-Anna for the texture.

Monastery and Cave of Saint Andrew the Apostle

Few things are known about the cave of Saint Andrew the Apostle. One of those things that can be said with certainty is that it was discovered in 1918 by Jean Dinu, a lawyer. After dreaming one night, he came in this area to find the cave in an advanced state of degradation. After cleaning it of the vegetation inside, he built a couple of cells and the first monks came in a short time.

It was sanctified in 1943 by the bishop Chesarie Paunescu but during the communist period it was destroyed and turned into a shelter for animals.

Only in 1990, with the blessing of IPS Lucian, father Nicodim Dinca, the monarch of Sihastria Monastery, along with the hieromonarch father Victorin Ghindaoanu, started to restore the cave and to build the monastery.

The cave shelters the icon of Saint Andrew, known as the apostle who christianized the lands at the North of the Danube. There is a bed carved in stone in a niche of the pronaos. It is said that that was used as a resting place by Andrew the Apostle. In the course of time this has been a place to light candles, and now it is used by those in need of comfort from disease. Here, the priests also read prayers for sick people and the Mass of Saint Basil the Great.

Today the monastery has a smaller church built during the years of 1994 – 1995, sanctified with the Holy Virgin’s Protection as its dedication day and the third bigger church was built during the years of 1998 – 2002.

In the small church are kept the relics of Saint Andrew. A cross in the shape of “X” can be found, on the left, in front of the altar of the smaller church. In the center of this cross is placed a part of the finger belonging to Saint Andrew. The finger was brought from the Trifiliei Metropolitan Church of Greece. On the four extremities of the cross there are the relics of the martyr saints of Niculitel from Dobrogea: Zoticos, Attalos, Kamasis and Filippos, Epictet the priest and Astion the monk.

Near the cave there is a spring about which the legend tells that it appeared after Saint Andrew struck the rock with his staff in search of water.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims come each year to the Cave of Saint Andrew and this made this place to be rightfully named the Bethlehem of Romanian people.

To get here, the pilgrims must first reach Cernavoda, afterwards head south to Ostrov. In the locality Ion Corvin, an indicator points them to a side road that takes them to the monastery in a forest, after 3 – 4 km.

Short biography

The Saint Apostle Andrew was the brother of Saint Apostle Petre. At first he and Saint Apostle and Evangelist John were apprentices of Saint John the Baptist. After the Resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus Christ and the Descent of the Holly Spirit, the apostles drew the chances on where to go to preach this faith, and Saint Apostle Andrew reached the area of the Black Sea, including Scythia Minor of the time or today’s Dobrogea. He secluded in that cave with two apprentices and he started to preach. He then went to the region of Kiev, and returned to Dobrogea. Because all went well, he headed to Patras in Greece where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of “X”.

  

#363 5/14/2009

+++++++++++++

 

HGGT!

 

B l a c k m a g i c

Tomb of Ludwig Seeger (1874-1905)

Hauptfriedhof, Frankfurt am Main

💀 🌳 ⚰️ ―everyone you know & love #GoT @gameofthrones

Landscape Composition; Central Park; New York City; ©2009 DianaLee Photo Designs

As Sure As His Son

 

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" [Romans 8:32]

 

God strips every pain of destructive power. You must believe this or you will not thrive, or perhaps even survive as a Christian, in the pressures and temptations of modern life. There is so much pain, so many setbacks and discouragements, so many controversies and pressures. I do not know where I would turn if I did not believe that almighty God is taking every setback and every discouragement and every controversy and every pressure and every pain, and stripping it of its destructive power, and making it work for the enlargement of my joy in God. The world is ours. Life is ours. Death is ours. God reigns so supremely on behalf of his elect that everything which faces us in a lifetime of obedience and ministry will be subdued by the mighty hand of God and made the servant of our holiness and our everlasting joy in God. If God is for us, and if God is God, then it is true that nothing can succeed against us. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will infallibly and freely with him give us all things—all things—the world, life, death, and God himself. Romans 8:32 is a precious friend. The promise of God’s future grace is overwhelming. But all-important is the foundation. Here is a place to stand against all obstacles. God did not spare his own Son! How much more, then, will he spare no effort to give me all that Christ died to purchase—all things, all good? It is as sure as the certainty that he loved his Son! Hallelujah God bless

No level ground, nowhere to rest, ever onward

via Instagram ift.tt/29ZQDPj

A rarity that I found on eBay and received today. Although it's a certainty that none of these limited-edition Applauses survive, I can't help wondering how many were produced and sold. The fact I didn't even know about them was pleasing in itself.

“More important than the quest for certainty is the quest for clarity”

 

-- Francois Gautier

Shaw Cross Sharks v Thornhill Trojans - 14th April 2018 - Final Score 0 - 44

And then... you munch with certainty.

 

Cen is a Dollshe Custom Husky WS

He lives with me. :)

 

(He loves to eat all kinds of things)

Every tiny town in my homeland seems to have a building at heart, an architectural figure that you could put on a poster or postage stamp, and say with some certainty that consensus would ratify your choice. Could be a lighthouse or the oldest homestead, maybe a church or one-room school. But for anyone passing through Caledonia – perhaps the most land-locked village in seabound Nova Scotia – I'll make my bets that this weather-worn façade would be their choice. Built in the 1860s by Jonas Parker as the Caledonia Hotel, it was later known as Golden House before settling on the final name Alton House, as it's been known since early last century. This was one of several stagecoach stops along what's now called Highway 8. Each were placed just twelve miles apart, the preferred distance for horses to travel in a day. Now we all fly past just as quick as time itself.

 

In the deep blue fog this evening, gloom and moisture takes the edge off. Perhaps you won't quite catch the peeling paint or rotting trim, or the colour palette that somewhat clashes. You could start dreaming about a return to purpose, as a hotel once more or a home full of life. I sure know it makes me feel more alive whenever I'm passing, staring out as if windows are the eyes to the soul. On all the slow swirl down to darkness, blinking with each cast of passing headlights. Could this be your arrival at the end of a long and dreamlike journey? Is someone seeing this image tonight, and marking the start of what took them here? I always like to imagine my stories are inspiration for relocation. That someone might unexpectedly learn that some previously unknown place exists, and I'll be the catalyst that brought them there. There are worse things you could call me.

 

December 11, 2024

Caledonia, Nova Scotia

 

bluesky | etsy | facebook | instagram | threads | tumblr | youtube

 

You can support my work

get things in the mail

and see everything

first on Patreon