The main environmental issues associated with the implementation of the 5G network come with the manufacturing of the many component parts of the 5G infrastructure. In addition, the proliferation of new devices that will use the 5G network that is tied to the acceleration of demand from consumers for new 5G-dependent devices will have serious environmental consequences. The 5G network will inevitably cause a large increase in energy usage among consumers, which is already one of the main contributors to climate change. Additionally, the manufacturing and maintenance of the new technologies associated with 5G creates waste and uses important resources that have detrimental consequences for the environment. 5G networks use technology that has harmful effects on birds, which in turn has cascading effects through entire ecosystems. And, while 5G developers are seeking to create a network that has fewer environmental impacts than past networks, there is still room for improvement and the consequences of 5G should be considered before it is widely rolled out. 5G stands for the fifth generation of wireless technology. It is the wave of wireless technology surpassing the 4G network that is used now. Previous generations brought the first cell phones (1G), text messaging (2G), online capabilities (3G), and faster speed (4G). The fifth generation aims to increase the speed of data movement, be more responsive, and allow for greater connectivity of devices simultaneously.[2] This means that 5G will allow for nearly instantaneous downloading of data that, with the current network, would take hours. For example, downloading a movie using 5G would take mere seconds. These new improvements will allow for self-driving cars, massive expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) device use, and acceleration of new technological advancements used in everyday activities by a much wider range of people. While 5G is not fully developed, it is expected to consist of at least five new technologies that allow it to perform much more complicated tasks at faster speeds. The new technologies 5G will use are hardware that works with much higher frequencies (millimeter wavelengths), small cells, massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output), beamforming, and full duplex.[3] Working together, these new technologies will expand the potential of many of the devices used today and devices being developed for the future. Millimeter waves are a higher frequency wavelength than the radio wavelength generally used in wireless transmission today.[4] The use of this portion of the spectrum corresponds to higher frequency and shorter wavelengths, in this case in the millimeter range (vs the lower radio frequencies where the wavelengths can be in the meters to hundreds of kilometers). Higher frequency waves allow for more devices to be connected to the same network at the same time, because there is more space available compared to the radio waves that are used today. The use of this portion of the spectrum has much longer wavelengths than of that anticipated for a portion of the 5G implementation. The waves in use now can measure up to tens of centimeters, while the new 5G waves would be no greater than ten millimeters.[5] The millimeter waves will create more transmission space for the ever-expanding number of people and devices crowding the current networks. The millimeter waves will create more space for devices to be used by consumers, which will increase energy usage, subsequently leading to increased global warming. Millimeter waves are very weak in their ability to connect two devices, which is why 5G needs something called “small cells” to give full, uninterrupted coverage. Small cells are essentially miniature cell towers that would be placed 250 meters apart throughout cities and other areas needing coverage.[6] The small cells are necessary as emissions [or signals] at this higher frequency/shorter wavelength have more difficulty passing through solid objects and are even easily intercepted by rain.[7] The small cells could be placed on anything from trees to street lights to the sides of businesses and homes to maximize connection and limit “dead zones” (areas where connections are lost). The next new piece of technology necessary for 5G is massive MIMO, which stands for multiple input multiple output. The MIMO describes the capacity of 5G’s base stations, because those base stations would be able to handle a much higher amount of data at any one moment of time. Currently, 4G base stations have around eight transmitters and four receivers which direct the flow of data between devices.[9] 5G will exceed this capacity with the use of massive MIMO that can handle 22 times more ports. Figure 1 shows how a massive MIMO tower would be able to direct a higher number of connections at once. However, massive MIMO causes signals to be crossed more easily. Crossed signals cause an interruption in the transmission of data from one device to the next due to a clashing of the wavelengths as they travel to their respective destinations. To overcome the cross signals problem, beamforming is needed. To maximize the efficiency of sending data another new technology called beamforming will be used in 5G. For data to be sent to the correct user, a way of directing the wavelengths without interference is necessary. This is done through a technique called beamforming. Beamforming directs where exactly data are being sent by using a variety of antennas to organize signals based on certain characteristics, such as the magnitude of the signal. By directly sending signals to where they need to go, beamforming decreases the chances that a signal is dropped due to the interference of a physical object.

One way that 5G will follow through on its promise of faster data transmission is through sending and receiving data simultaneously. The method that allows for simultaneous input and output of data is called full duplexing. While full duplex capabilities allow for faster transmission of data, there is an issue of signal interference, because of echoes. Full duplexing will cut transmission times in half, because it allows for a response to occur as soon as an input is delivered, eliminating the turnaround time that is seen in transmission today. Because these technologies are new and untested, it is hard to say how they will impact our environment. This raises another issue: there are impacts that can be anticipated and predicted, but there are also unanticipated impacts because much of the new technologies are untested. Nevertheless, it is possible to anticipate some of detrimental environmental consequences of the new technologies and the 5G network, because we know these technologies will increase exposure to harmful radiation, increase mining of rare minerals, increase waste, and increase energy usage. The main 5G environmental concerns have to do with two of the five new components: the millimeter waves and the small cells. The whole aim of the new 5G network is to allow for more devices to be used by the consumer at faster rates than ever before, because of this goal there will certainly be an increase in energy usage globally. Energy usage is one of the main contributors to climate change today and an increase in energy usage would cause climate change to increase drastically as well. 5G will operate on a higher frequency portion of the spectrum to open new space for more devices. The smaller size of the millimeter waves compared to radio frequency waves allows for more data to be shared more quickly and creates a wide bandwidth that can support much larger tasks.[15] While the idea of more space for devices to be used is great for consumers, this will lead to a spike in energy usage for two reasons – the technology itself is energy demanding and will increase demand for more electronic devices. The ability for more devices to be used on the same network creates more incentive for consumers to buy electronics and use them more often. This will have a harmful impact on the environment through increased energy use. Climate change has several underlying contributors; however, energy usage is gaining attention in its severity with regards to perpetuating climate change. Before 5G has even been released, about 2% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the ICT industry.[16] While 2% may not seem like a very large portion, it translates to around 860 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.[17] Greenhouse gas emissions are the main contributors to natural disasters, such as flooding and drought, which are increasing severity and occurrence every year. Currently, roughly 85% of the energy used in the United States can be attributed to fossil fuel consumption.[18] The dwindling availability of fossil fuels and the environmental burden of releasing these fossil fuels into our atmosphere signal an immediate need to shift to other energy sources. Without a shift to other forms of energy production and the addition of technology allowed by the implementation of 5G, the strain on our environment will rise and the damage may never be repaired. With an increase in energy usage through technology and the implementation of 5G, it can be expected that the climate change issues faced today will only increase. The overall contribution of carbon dioxide emissions from the ICT industry has a huge impact on climate change and will continue to have even larger impacts without proper actions. In a European Union report, researchers estimated that in order to keep the increase in global temperature below 2° Celsius a decrease in carbon emissions of around 15-30% is necessary by 2020. Engineers claim that the small cells used to provide the 5G connection will be energy efficient and powered in a sustainable way; however the maintenance and production of these cells is more of an issue. Supporters of the 5G network advocate that the small cells will use solar or wind energy to stay sustainable and green.[20] These devices, labeled “fuel-cell energy servers” will work as clean energy-based generators for the small cells.[21] While implementing base stations that use sustainable energy to function would be a step in the right direction in environmental conservation, it is not the solution to the main issue caused by 5G, which is the impact that the massive amount of new devices in the hands of consumers will have on the amount of energy required to power these devices. The wasteful nature of manufacturing and maintenance of both individual devices and the devices used to deliver 5G connection could become a major contributor of climate change. The promise of 5G technology is to expand the number of devices functioning might be the most troubling aspect of the new technology. Cell phones, computers, and other everyday devices are manufactured in a way that puts stress on the environment. A report by the EPA estimated that in 2010, 25% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions comes from electricity and heat production making it the largest single source of emissions.[22] The main gas emitted by this sector is carbon dioxide, due to the burning of natural gas, such as coal, to fuel electricity sources.[23] Carbon dioxide is one of the most common greenhouse gases seen in our atmosphere, it traps heat in earth’s atmosphere trying to escape into space, which causes the atmosphere to warm generating climate change. Increased consumption of devices is taking a toll on the environment. As consumers gain access to more technologies the cycle of consumption only expands. As new devices are developed, the older devices are thrown out even if they are still functional. Often, big companies will purposefully change their products in ways that make certain partner devices (such as chargers or earphones) unusable–creating demand for new products. Economic incentives mean that companies will continue these practices in spite of the environmental impacts. One of the main issues with the 5G network and the resulting increase in consumption of technological devices is that the production required for these devices is not sustainable. In the case of making new devices, whether they be new smart-phones or the small cells needed for 5G, the use of nonrenewable metals is required. It is extremely difficult to use metals for manufacturing sustainably, because metals are not a renewable resource. Metals used in the manufacturing of the smart devices frequently used today often cannot be recycled in the same way many household items can be recycled. Because these technologies cannot be recycled, they create tons of waste when they are created and tons of waste when they are thrown away. There are around six billion mobile devices in use today, with this number expected to increase drastically as the global population increases and new devices enter the market. One estimate of the life-time carbon emissions of a single device–not including related accessories and network connection–is that a device produces a total of 45kg of carbon dioxide at a medium level of usage over three years. This amount of emission is comparable to that of driving the average European car for 300km. But, the most environmentally taxing stage of a mobile device life cycle is during the production stage, where around 68% of total carbon emissions is produced, equating to 30kg of carbon dioxide. To put this into perspective, an iPhone X weighs approximately 0.174kg, so in order to produce the actual device, 172 iPhone X’s worth of carbon dioxide is also created. These emissions vary from person to person and between different devices, but it’s possible to estimate the impact one device has on the environment. 5G grants the capacity for more devices to be used, significantly increase the existing carbon footprint of smart devices today. Energy usage for the ever-growing number of devices on the market and in homes is another environmental threat that would be greatly increased by the new capabilities brought by the 5G network. Often, energy forecasts overlook the amount of energy that will be consumed by new technologies, which leads to a skewed understanding of the actual amount of energy expected to be used.[30] One example of this is with IoT devices.[31] IoT is one of the main aspects of 5G people in the technology field are most excited about. 5G will allow for a larger expansion of IoT into the everyday household.[32] While some IoT devices promise lower energy usage abilities, the 50 billion new IoT devices expected to be produced and used by consumers will surpass the energy used by today’s electronics.

The small cells required for the 5G network to properly function causes another issue of waste with the new network. Because of the weak nature of the millimeter waves used in the 5G technology, small cells will need to be placed around 250 meters apart to insure continuous connection. The main issue with these small cells is that the manufacturing and maintenance of these cells will create a lot of waste. The manufacturing of technology takes a large toll on the environment, due to the consumption of non-renewable resources to produce devices, and technology ending up in landfills. Implementing these small cells into large cities where they must be placed at such a high density will have a drastic impact on technology waste. Technology is constantly changing and improving, which is one of the huge reasons it has such high economic value. But, when a technological advancement in small cells happens, the current small cells would have to be replaced. The short lifespan of devices created today makes waste predictable and inevitable. In New York City, where there would have to be at least 3,135,200 small cells, the waste created in just one city when a new advancement in small cells is implemented would have overwhelming consequences on the environment. 5G is just one of many examples of how important it is to look at the consequences of new advancements before their implementation. While it is exciting to see new technology that promises to improve everyday life, the consequences of additional waste and energy usage must be considered to preserve a sustainable environment in the future. There is some evidence that the new devices and technologies associated with 5G will be harmful to delicate ecosystems. The main component of the 5G network that will affect the earth’s ecosystems is the millimeter waves. The millimeter waves that are being used in developing the 5G network have never been used at such scale before. This makes it especially difficult to know how they will impact the environment and certain ecosystems. However, studies have found that there are some harms caused by these new technologies. The millimeter waves, specifically, have been linked to many disturbances in the ecosystems of birds. In a study by the Centre for Environment and Vocational Studies of Punjab University, researchers observed that after exposure to radiation from a cell tower for just 5-30 minutes, the eggs of sparrows were disfigured.[34] The disfiguration of birds exposed for such a short amount of time to these frequencies is significant considering that the new 5G network will have a much higher density of base stations (small cells) throughout areas needing connection. The potential dangers of having so many small cells all over areas where birds live could cause whole populations of birds to have mutations that threaten their population’s survival. Additionally, a study done in Spain showed breeding, nesting, and roosting was negatively affected by microwave radiation emitted by a cell tower. Again, the issue of the increase in the amount of connection conductors in the form of small cells to provide connection with the 5G network is seen to be harmful to species that live around humans. Additionally, Warnke found that cellular devices had a detrimental impact on bees.[36] In this study, beehives exposed for just ten minutes to 900MHz waves fell victim to colony collapse disorder.Colony collapse disorder is when many of the bees living in the hive abandon the hive leaving the queen, the eggs, and a few worker bees. The worker bees exposed to this radiation also had worsened navigational skills, causing them to stop returning to their original hive after about ten days. Bees are an incredibly important part of the earth’s ecosystem. Around one-third of the food produced today is dependent on bees for pollination, making bees are a vital part of the agricultural system. Bees not only provide pollination for the plant-based food we eat, but they are also important to maintaining the food livestock eats. Without bees, a vast majority of the food eaten today would be lost or at the very least highly limited. Climate change has already caused a large decline in the world’s bee population. The impact that the cell towers have on birds and bees is important to understand, because all ecosystems of the earth are interconnected. If one component of an ecosystem is disrupted the whole system will be affected. The disturbances of birds with the cell towers of today would only increase, because with 5G a larger number of small cell radio-tower-like devices would be necessary to ensure high quality connection for users. Having a larger number of high concentrations of these millimeter waves in the form of small cells would cause a wider exposure to bees and birds, and possibly other species that are equally important to our environment.As innovation continues, it is important that big mobile companies around the world consider the impact 5G will have on the environment before pushing to have it widely implemented. The companies pushing for the expansion of 5G may stand to make short term economic gains. While the new network will undoubtedly benefit consumers greatly, looking at 5G’s long-term environmental impacts is also very important so that the risks are clearly understood and articulated. The technology needed to power the new 5G network will inevitably change how mobile devices are used as well as their capabilities. This technological advancement will also change the way technology and the environment interact. The change from using radio waves to using millimeter waves and the new use of small cells in 5G will allow more devices to be used and manufactured, more energy to be used, and have detrimental consequences for important ecosystems. While it is unrealistic to call for 5G to not become the new network norm, companies, governments, and consumers should be proactive and understand the impact that this new technology will have on the environment. 5G developers should carry out Environmental Impact Assessments that fully estimate the impact that the new technology will have on the environment before rushing to widely implement it. Environmental Impact Assessments are intended to assess the impact new technologies have on the environment, while also maximizing potential benefits to the environment. This process mitigates, prevents, and identifies environmental harm, which is imperative to ensuring that the environment is sustainable and sound in the future. Additionally, the method of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of devices would also be extremely beneficial for understanding the impact that 5G will inevitably have on the environment. An LCA can be used to assess the impact that devices have on carbon emissions throughout their life span, from the manufacturing of the device to the energy required to power the device and ultimately the waste created when the device is discarded into a landfill or other disposal system. By having full awareness of the impact new technology will have on the environment ways to combat the negative impacts can be developed and implemented effectively.

 

jsis.washington.edu/news/what-will-5g-mean-for-the-enviro...

  

photoshopped beefcake

What I usually do in SL all day long

 

♪♫ Song ♫♪: PROFF feat Cory Friesenhan - Consequence Of You (Hexlogic Remix)

 

Animations: Abranimations - Ballet Set 2

Head: LeLutka - Fleur

Body: Maitreya Lara Petite

Skin: Pepe Skins - Miu

Hair: Truth - Elixir

Necklaces: SynCo - Crystal Pendants - Top, ~Moon Rabbit~ - MoonChoker~rigged

Dress: Cheezu - Sora Dress

Undergarment: Blueberry - Noelia Shorts

Tights: Izzie's High-Waisted Tights (system layer)

Shoes: S&P - Ballet Pointes

Skybox: BUENO - Before Dusk Skybox Dark 2

   

Like a metamorphosis, something can be visible but it's true beauty is not immediately apparent. The reveal of the subject then becomes the consequence of the actions of the process.

With nothing for consequence on NS, we headed east to Talleyrand and then northward to Busch where this CSXT GP39-2 was shot. The GP39-2 are far more common south of Jacksonville on CSXT Subs. Yet a pair have taken up residence in Jax . This one #4303 is the second I've seen with the now standard "Boxcar" scheme.

An Unexpected Consequence

 

Something woke me up around 3:30 am that Saturday morning, not sure what. But something since my head was throbbing, I assumed that was the culprit.

 

I slowly, silently arose, not wishing to disturb the others who had gathered in our suite's living room for a “sleepover after an evening of heavy partying. But by the looks, everyone was still passed out.

 

I wasn’t surprised, judging from the amount of drinks we all had consumed.

 

What happy drunks we had all been.

 

I carefully tiptoed amongst them through the room, deciding to get aspirin from my bathroom.

 

The girls and I had all fallen asleep in the living room instead of retiring to our respective bedrooms that connected to the master suite

 

I was surprised to see my bedroom door was closed.

 

Was someone else inside?

 

I looked around the room, not noticing anyone missing.

 

Shrugging it off, I went inside, closing the door behind me.

 

I saw my reflection in the wall-sized mirror at the end of the room, next to the surprisingly open outside balcony door.

 

“Looking good.” I complimented myself.

 

I was wearing my slinking long pure silk nightgown, coloured a deep chocolate brown. Along with my shiny matching robe. The robe was open and I could see my peaking out chest, my smallish mounds bulging, sexily outlined by my nightgown.

 

I ran my fingers down the front, touching them, feeling a rather pleasant sensation that I was still not awake enough to fully enjoy.

 

There is nothing like the feel of a bit of nice silk lying against one’s naked figure.

 

I took a step back, admiring my figure, clad tightly in shiny silk, with jewels sparkling that were reflected in the hotel suite's mammoth mirror.

 

For, from my evening out, I was still wearing my long diamond earrings(£18,000) and three diamond rings(£12,000,£5,000, £3,000) because I love to sleep with my diamonds on, and they had looked so pretty with my black satin evening gown, along with the rest of my diamonds, that I had worn out for the evening before.

 

They had looked even more delicious worn with my spaghetti strap chocolate silk slinky nightgown as I played with them,and myself, a wee bit more.

 

I guess I kept wearing them because I wanted the feeling to continue on, as it was.

 

We had all been dressed up to the nines, attire, and jewellery, Friday evening, including the three of us girls who were staying in the two connected rooms.

 

Though last night those rooms, like mine, had been empty since all of us were asleep in the living room, sort of an adult storytelling sleepover.

 

Though I will admit deep down a smouldering yearning was felt to have it being a role-playing sleepover.

 

Now as I looked myself over in the mirror I started to have a prickly sensation that I was after all, not alone in the room.

 

I literally jumped because that feeling was immediately confirmed as an unfamiliar male voice commanded:

“Freeze sister, not a peep out of you now!”

 

I froze… not knowing what the hell was going on.

 

Except I was correct in using the word ‘Hell’

 

^^^^

A thin, muscular male comes out of one of the room’s shadowy corners, facing me.

 

I could tell his intentions by the black tight-fitting spandex suit, gloves, and ski mask he was wearing.

 

He nodded his head to me….

“I don’t wish to hurt you, lady, I’m only after the “ice” I was told you were wearing out tonight. Now don’t scream. I will use force and some of your friends may be hurt. You don’t want that to happen, do you? Nod if you’re going to be a good lass.”

 

I nodded yes, feeling my earrings swing against my face.

 

“That’s the girl. Undo your pretty robe, drop it to the floor. Good. Now move it over unto the bed.”

 

I did so and he picked up my robe laying it out onto the end of the bed. Then he picked up my robe's satin sash.

 

“Now ladybird , hold out your hands.”

 

I obeyed. He looked down at my fingers. I could see my rings glistening and saw he was watching also.

 

He pleasurably sighed, then got to business.

 

“Spread out your fingers!”

 

I did and he slowly located, then worked off my three pretty rings. Reaching over, he plopped each onto my chocolate-coloured silk robe.

 

“Now sister, clasp your hands in front of you…”

 

I obeyed and he firmly tied my wrists together with the robe’s silk sash.

 

“Now lay back on the bed”

 

I did so and he lifted my bound wrists and using one of my long black satin gloves tied them to a bedpost. Then he took the other glove gagging my mouth with it.

 

I could see my reflection in the vanity mirror. Almost surreal, like I was watching someone else.

 

He turned on his torch, catching my long diamond earrings in the beam.

 

“Blinding those, lovely to look at, but I’m running out of time aren’t I? Leave them for later, eh luv!”

 

Moving easily like a muscular black panther, he rose and strolled over to the vanity dresser. He opened the pair of jewelry cases belonging to me and my sister-in-law Cadie.

 

The beam caught up with the reflection of the jewellery both contained. I could see them sparkling.

  

He turns, shined the light in my face…

 

I was told you birds were wearing “ice” but there’s much more here. Let’s say I save time by taking it all for sorting later..”

 

It wasn’t a question.

 

With a sigh, I watched as he emptied onto my silk robe, the glimmering contents of first one, then the other of our jewel cases.

 

The pile dazzled with explosive, expensive sparkling.

 

Discarding both emptied cases, he turned his light back on the dresser. There were more of our expensive personal items laid out there. Cadie’s, my husband’s, and mine.

 

Several times he reached in sweeping some of them into his palm. Dumping them onto the chocolate-coloured silk robe

 

My husband’s possessions. Rolex money clip, billfold, silver gunmetal cigarette case, and matching lighter.

 

Cade’s silver comb and mirror, silver makeup compact, and her satin evening clutch.

 

Along with my gold makeup compact kit, gold Lamé clutch purse, gold cigarette case, and gold lighter.

 

He next shined the light carefully around the room.

 

Stopping on the open closet.

 

He went over and rummaged through it.

 

He whistled, and from my close he pulled out my rust-coloured mink jacket, throwing it onto the bed.

 

Then he turned back, fingering through my good skirts, blouses, party dresses, gowns, satins, and silks all of them.

 

He pulled my back satin opera outfit, a long satin skirt with the rhinestone belt and matching rhinestone embellished jacket, that I usually wore with one of my silky long-sleeved high-neck tops.

 

Lovely this he said shingling his light so it sparkled.

 

Then he tossed it on my bed, covering the fur.

 

He happily “dived” back in, and I heard him exclaiming…

 

“This is more like it, good thing I didn’t take a pass on the closet.”

 

He was pulling out the black satin gown with rhinestone trimmings I had worn out this past evening. His light caught my beautiful broach (£38,000), which I had left attached.

 

it came into sparkling life under the torch beam.

 

He whistled as he walked over, eyeing it up.

 

The thief then shined his torch beam in my face

You weren’t going to try and hold this out now were you love? I’ll pretend you were going to point it out.”

He laid it out on the bed, then approached me…

“With that said, lady. Are you holding anything else out!”

 

I shook my head, no, my eyes pleading since my mouth was gagged into silence.

 

Grinning, his torch beam was shined into one ear then the other

“Not quite telling the truth, Lovely sparkler’s them.”

 

He reached up, I was limp, with no fight in me.

 

The thief then laid the torch on the bed…

 

With his teeth the wanker pulled off his thin black gloves, he looked positively evil wearing that ski mask. His eyes are large and I swear, beguilingly, studying me.

 

His mouth opened wide as he reached over with long touching fingers, to begin working off each of my earrings, tossing them onto the valuably shimmering piled out on my beautiful satiny silky robe.

 

Again he stared into my eyes, his own masked lined menacing one’s mere millimeters away.

 

“Not saying I don’t trust you telling your not hiding anything valuable, but, well luv, I’ll be having myself a look anyway. You’ll understand…”

 

I cringed, arching my back as his fingers grasped my arms.

 

He then reached down and squeezed around my bulging chest ,noticing they were hard and perking, pointing up through the sheer fabric of my silky nightgown like a pair of plump fleshy mounds with hard tips.

 

Then I felt his fingers smoothly running over along my silk-clad figure, until he reached my wet pussy and discovers why my “mounds” were so firm under his touch.

 

For yes, I will have to confess having been sinfully aroused throughout the whole wickedly hot experience.

 

You see it started when he was pulling off my rings.

 

No, actually I told a lie…

 

It was when he first grasped me:

The abruptness, the shock, and the surprise, quickly turned to aroused waves of tingling sexually tinged excitement at being held captive, by a thief after my jewels.

 

As he worked at stealing our valuables, a tingling, cringing feeling of helplessness and horror watching a masked man doing that, with the look of pleasure he had in his eyes.

 

Then as he pulled off my rings, well I realized I was growing even more acutely aroused in a quite “horney” role play’esque situation.

 

Arousal that began its stimulating flame, arising from the explosive emerging “kindling” that is one’s own erotica being played out for real when least expected.

 

He could see my struggle against my bonds, and he knew, the Git just instinctively knew why….

 

Then the prat just touched the hairs around my privates

 

Stroking gently, reaching deep enough inside my pussy hairs, just enough to keep me aroused, but not allowing me to come into orgasm.

 

My eyes were opened wide staring at his masked form hovering over me.

 

Then he plunged his fingers deeply inside.

 

My whole figure arched up, fingers tingling.

 

Then the stinking prat, he pulled back. The wanker knew and stopped, just as my figure was trying to come in a full-body arching, explosive orgasm.

 

It was bad enough The bloody thief was stealing my jewels, but adding in robbing me clean of a chance at feeling that titular flame of orgasmic stimulation as I had closed my eyes starting to wince with excitement, that was just bloody rude.

 

^^^^^^

 

Then he was done, all back to business, as he nimbly rose, then picking up his gloves said the chilling words as he put them back on….

 

“Do the other rich dame’s bedrooms have things this nice, as I was told. No answer eh? Well, we will see for me self now won’t I!”

 

He picked back up his torch, letting the beam play down the long chocolate-silken night gown I was wearing over my naked figure.

 

He nodded his head in disbelieving approval.

 

Turning it off, he pocketed the torch, then reaching down he rolled up my satin robe with our valuables in it.

 

Picking up a black backpack he purred…

 

“The lads that were following you birds around last night, they put me onto this job saying to just to snatch the shiny jewels you and your girlfriends wearing out this evening. But lady you have enough here I could make a bit extra for me self!”

 

He stuffed the chocolate satin robe inside his jogger's pack. Followed by cramming in my black gown with the broach.

 

Then lifting my mink he said

But I better see how much of the good stuff your lady friends have in their rooms first. But I’ll take this item in case I have the storage space.”

 

Extinguishing his torch, He started to walk out, then looked back at me and came to my bedside.

 

“And don’t worry about this”

he said touching my now still prickly, damp crotch.

 

"Your not the first broad I’ve tied up to rob whose felt this way, now we’re you!?”

 

Snickering, he confidently opened the door, slipping without a look back

 

He was now in the living room where the others were all sleeping!

 

^^^^

That night thief thoroughly cleaned us out of all our jewels and various other items of high value we had in our bedrooms.

 

Though it was a very nasty thing to have happened to all of us. I did feel a wee bit guilty.

 

For to tell the truth, since I had been erotically aroused by the entire incident that occurred in my bedroom under the thief’s hands whole robbing me, I didn’t quite feel as sad about it as my equally jewel-relieved girlfriends.

 

Fini

 

Truth or Consequences, NM

Dorgrey (the grey wolf) knows how to deal with trespassers...

from ift.tt/1RbWcrd

 

I had to get up really early1 this morning to have blood drawn.2 I needed it for an as-yet-unscheduled appointment with the family doctor for a slut pill3 prescription.4 The phlebotomist today was stellar and hit the vein5 on her first try.6

 

On the way home, I stopped at the Wellness Center and joined.7 I had to pay $158 because my insurance apparently no longer foots the whole bill.9 The person signing me up told me I could pay another $5 and get a little scan-in card for my keychain. I said I’d memorize my 16 digit number.1011

 

I came home, called SSI for my review,12 finished reading Until You by Penelope Douglas, and took a nap.13 Nana called at around 4:00, which was also around the time I woke up. She asked if I’d gone for a walk yet, so14 I decided I should do that before dark.15 Amy had to go for her brief16 walks before I could go on mine.

 

I decided to bump my walk distance up today.17 I walked to the yard where Barks While He Twirls and The Plucky Sidekick live.18 They greeted me at the fence and I stuck my hand down to let them sniff. I didn’t pull my jacket’s sleeve up, which probably got BWHT a bit freaked out, so he bit me.

 

I don’t think he meant to bite me. He didn’t bite hard and the jacket did protect me from it breaking the skin. I wasn’t scared. I was a little surprised, but I realized that I probably was to blame for the bite, so I tried to greet him again. I rolled my sleeve up and calmly went in knuckles first, instead of the back of my hand. And guess what? He didn’t bite me. He and TPS demanded I pet them.19 He didn’t want me to stop petting him,20 but I did so that I could come home & ice my hand.

 

The bruise is worse now than it was when I took that picture, but not too bad. I think it’ll be okay, but it’s probably going to be sore for a while.

 

I couldn’t tell my family about the bite right when I got home because Mom was still talking to Nana. I knew even mentioning it would scare Nana.21 My dad was a little surprised when he heard because it’s such an un-BWHT thing to do.22 Mom is mainly trying to make sure an abrasion on my hand existed BEFORE I got bitten.23 I’m not worried about it.24

 

But I’ve learned that I need to be more careful in the future.25

 

For me. ↩

 

The fat girl special: lipid panel, A1C, & CMP. Yay, obesity! ↩

 

Norethindrone, aka a progesterone only birth control pill. I call them slut pills because anytime legislation comes up, someone has to say something about women spreading their legs. Yay, slut-shaming! ↩

 

I have to go back in for another three month prescription because my family doctor thinks my risk of blood clots is significant enough that I need regular monitoring. Yay, genetics! ↩

 

With a big old, regular needle in my arm, not a butterfly in my arm, wrist, hand, or foot. ↩

 

Yay, skilled medical professional! ↩

 

Yay, exercise! ↩

 

And I will have to continue to pay this amount every month. ↩

 

Yay, insurance!! ↩

 

Yay, debt & poverty! ↩

 

Yay, freaky memory! ↩

 

I confirmed that I’m still an impoverished disabled woman with no car. Yay, my life! ↩

 

Yay, preschool behavior! ↩

 

I felt guilty because I had been napping instead of exercising. ↩

 

#YesAllWomen. ↩

 

One-house ↩

 

My furthest distance since before my surgery. Yay, progress! ↩

 

Max and Mario. ↩

 

I’m easily bossed around by animals. ↩

 

Yay, renewed friendships! ↩

 

And she’d probably want us to call animal control on BWHT. ↩

 

Dad has interacted with BWHT as well. ↩

 

Yay, parents who are still overprotective of their adult daughter! ↩

 

So it better not kill me. ↩

 

Yay, painful life lessons! ↩

 

Related Posts:

 

Bad Blood (Vessels) June 22, 2015

 

Get A Location on That July 4, 2015

 

Not that hard of a stick July 9, 2010

 

Sinewy Badness July 18, 2013

 

Aleve-iate Your Pain (Or Maybe Not) September 1, 2015

 

"In consequence of her extraordinary learning, Saint Catharine is regarded as the patroness of Christian philosophy: and this circumstance, taken in connection with her successful apostolate for souls, is doubtless the main cause of her being considered as a special Protectress of the Order of Preachers, which glories in the name of the Order of Truth and has ever been distinguished alike for its eminent learning and its zeal for souls. The Saint has herself deigned on several occasions to manifest a particular interest in the children of Saint Dominic, as the lives of their Saints testify. To mention but three instances. It was she who, together with Saint Cecilia, accompanied our Blessed Lady when she anointed Blessed Reginald and gave him the habit of the Order, which she is said to have taken from the hands of the Virgin Martyr of Alexandria. The same two Martyr Spouses of Christ were again in attendance on the Mother of God when she showed herself to our Holy Father in the dormitory at Santa Sabina, sprinkling the Brethren with holy water as they slept. Finally, it was Saint Catharine who, in company with the other holy Protectress of the Order, Saint Mary Magdalen, came with the Queen of Heaven to bring the miraculous picture of Saint Dominic to Soriano."

 

This window of St Catherine of Alexandria, whose feast is today, is in the Priory of St Albert the Great in Oakland, CA.

truth or consequences - new mexico

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

 

Some background:

Following the end of the Second World War, Poland was politically dominated by the neighboring Soviet Union; as a consequence, the Polish aviation industry underwent vast changes at the behest of the Soviets. While the nation's design offices had been liquidated, some former members had joined Poland's Aviation Institute (IL) and performed some limited work on various original projects, even though such efforts were initially officially discouraged. As such, it was at IL that the effort to design would become the first jet aircraft to be developed in Poland originated; however, during the late 1950s, responsibility for the design work on the program was transferred to aircraft manufacturer PZL-Mielec at an early stage in order that IL could resume its primary mission of scientific and technological research. Much of the design work on the program was produced in response to the specified needs of a requirement issued by the Polish Air Force for a capable jet-propelled trainer aircraft, which was seeking a replacement for the piston-engine PZL TS-8 Bies at the time.

 

Polish government officials came to openly regard the project as being of considerable importance to the nation's aviation industry, thus vigorous efforts were made to support the development of the TS-11. The main designer was Polish aeronautical engineer Tadeusz Sołtyk; his initials was the source for part of the type's official designation TS-11. Early on, it was decided to adopt a foreign-sourced turbojet engine to power the aircraft. Quickly, the British Armstrong Siddeley Viper had emerged as the company's favored option; however, reportedly, negotiations for its acquisition eventually broken down; accordingly, work on the project was delayed until a suitable domestically-built powerplant had reached an advanced stage of development.

 

On 5 February 1960, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight, powered by an imported Viper 8 engine, capable of producing up to 7.80 kN (1,750 lbf) of thrust. On 11 September 1960, the aircraft's existence was publicly revealed during an aerial display held over Lodz. The next pair of prototypes, which performed their first flights during March and July 1961 respectively, were instead powered by a Polish copy of the Viper engine, designated as the WSK HO-10. The flight test program that the three prototypes were subjected to had both demonstrated the capabilities of the new aircraft and its suitability for satisfying the Polish Air Force's stated requirements for a trainer jet; as such, it was soon accepted by the Polish Air Force.

 

During 1963, the first production model of the type, designated as the TS-11 Iskra (Spark) bis A, commenced delivery to the service. From about 1966, new-build aircraft were furnished with a newer Polish-designed turbojet engine, designated as the WSK SO-1, which was capable of producing up to 9.80 kN (2,200 lbf) of thrust and reportedly gave the TS-11 a top speed of 497 mph. From 1969 onwards, the improved WSK SO-3 engine became available, offering considerably longer times between overhauls; this engine was later improved into the WSK SO-3W, which was able to generate 10.80 kN (2,425 lbf) of thrust.

 

During the 1960s, the Iskra competed to be selected as the standard jet trainer for the Warsaw Pact, the Soviet Union had given Poland a promise to support its aviation industry and to favor the procurement of suitable aircraft for this purpose from Polish manufacturers. However, the Iskra was not selected for this role, it had lost out to the Czechoslovak Aero L-29 “Delfín”, another newly-designed jet-propelled trainer aircraft. Largely as a result of this decision, Poland became the only Warsaw Pact member to adopt the Iskra while most others adopting the rival Delfin instead, and foreign sales to other countries were highly limited.

 

During 1975, an initial batch of 50 Iskra bis D trainer aircraft were exported to India, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited acquired license production rights for the aircraft, which became domestically known as the HAL HJT-18 "Dawon". Beyond the basic trainer variant Dawon T.1, India also adapted projected versions of the TS-11 that had never gone into production in Poland, e. g. the Iskra BR 200, locally known as the Dawon GR.2.

 

This variant was a single-seated light attack and reconnaissance aircraft, which used the two-seater airframe but had the rear cockpit faired over. In order to expand the type's performance and ordnance, HAL improved the original design and mounted a more powerful Rolls Royce Viper turbojet with an increased airflow. Wingtip tanks were added, improving range and loiter time, and the cockpit received kevlar armor against small caliber arms for low altitude operations. Instead of the trainer version's optional single 23mm cannon in the nose section the additional space through the empty instructor's seat was used for a pair of 30mm Aden cannon in the lower fuselage flanks and its ammunition, as well as for additional navigation and communication avionics.

 

The Indian Air Force procured 64 of these light aircraft from 1978 onwards, which partly replaced the outdated HAL HF-24 "Marut" fleet. These machines even saw hot combat action in 1984, when India launched Operation Meghdoot to capture the Siachen Glacier in the contested Kashmir region.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: One

Length: 11.15 m (36 ft 7 in)

Wingspan (incl. tip tanks): 11.01 m (36 ft 1 in)

Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 5½ in)

Wing area: 17.5 m² (188 ft²)

Empty weight: 2,760 kg (6,080 lb)

Loaded weight: 4,234 kg (9,325 lb)

Max. takeoff weight: 4,540 kg (10,000 lb)

Powerplant:

1 × Rolls-Royce Viper turbojet, rated at 12.2 kN (2,700 lbf)

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 760 km/h (419 knots, 472 mph) at 5,000 m (16,400 ft)

Cruise speed: 600 km/h (324 knots, 373 mph)

Stall speed: 140 km/h (92 knots, 106 mph) (power off, flaps down)

Range: 1,500 km (828 nmi, 931 mi)

Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,300 ft)

Rate of climb: 16.8 m/s (3,300 ft/min)

 

Armament:

2x 30 mm Aden cannon with 120 RPG in the lower nose

4 underwing pylons, up to 1.200 kg (2.640 lb) of bombs, unguided rocket pods or gun packs

  

The kit and its assembly:

I have already butchered several of these former Intech kits from Poland, but never built one as an Iskra. Since the kit comes with optional parts to build the planned Iskra 200 BR single-seater, I gave the kit a try - and had the idea to create an "Indian Tiger" of it, as a part of a bigger plan for a future build project (see below).

 

Building the Mistercraft TS-11 is not a pleasant experience, though. The kit comes cheap, and that's what you get. While it comes with some nice features like an engine dummy, two optional canopies and ordnance loads, the whole thing tends to be crude. There's flash, gaps, a surface finish that partly looks as if the molds had been sand-blasted, mediocre if not poor fit, and the clear parts do not deserve this description – they are utterly streaky. You can certainly make something out of it with lots of effort, but it's IMHO not a good basis for an ambitious build.

 

The biggest issue I had were the parts for the single seat cockpit. There are no locator pins, and when you manage to put the canopy onto the fuselage there remains a considerable hole in the spine where the two-seater canopy would be attached. As a result, lots of PSR was necessary around the optional parts. I also scratched a rear bulkhead for the cockpit (which normally would remain empty and “open”) and added some equipment/boxes behind the pilot's seat. Messy affair.

 

Even though I’d have loved to replace the main wheels (the OOB parts had sinkholes and poorly molded details) I stuck with them because of the complicated cover arrangement, trying to cover the worst flaws under other parts. The jet exhaust was replaced, too, since I saved the engine dummy for the spares box.

 

On the wing tips, the tips were slightly trimmed and I added tanks from an 1:144 Tornado (Dragon) - a small detail that lets the Iskra appear a bit beafier than it actually is. For the same reason I omitted the single cannon in the nose with its characteristic bump, and replaced it with two guns: leftover parts from KP MiG-19 kits, plus a pair of differently shaped, smaller fairings alongside the lower flanks.

 

The ordnance comes from the scrap box, since I wanted a little more muscle than the OOB options. I went for a pair of unguided missile launchers (from a Kangnam Yak-38) and a pair of Soviet iron bombs (KP Su-25).

  

Painting and markings:

Well, the real motivation behind this build is that I used this kit as a proof-of-concept test for a planned build of the Indian Air Force's famous MiG-21 "C 992" of No. 1 Squadron that bore a striking tiger stripe scheme – but, unfortunately, there's no conclusive color picture of the aircraft, and painting suggestions remain contradictive, if not speculative. Some profiles show the aircraft with a grey of silver fuselage underside, while some have the tiger stripes wrapped around the fuselage, or not. Some have the upper camouflage wrapped around the whole fuselage, so that only the wings’ undersides remain in a light color. Some sources also claim that no darker, basic tone had been applied at all to the upper sides, and that the stripes had been directly painted on the bare aluminum surface of the Fishbed.

The worst, color-wise thing I found for this specific aircraft were in the painting instructions of the Fujimi kit: opaque FS 34227 as basic color seems to be totally off to me... But you also find suggestions of a yellowish sand tone, mid-stone, even some greenish slate grey, whatever. Fascinating subject!

 

From what I learned about the aircraft from various sources, the scheme looks like a kind of translucent/thin layer of olive drab/greenish earth or khaki tone over bare metal on all upper surfaces and wrapped around the fuselage – very light, if there was any paint at all. Alternatively, the bare metal must have been very weathered and dull, since pictures of C992 reveal no metallic shine at all.

 

On top of that, the tiger stripes (most probably in black, but there are suggestions of dark brown or green, too…) were applied manually, apparently by at least three painters who were probably working at the same time on different sections of the Indian Fishbed. Since I have the build of this aircraft on my agenda, some day, and a plan to re-create the special paint finish, this Iskra single seater was used as a test bed.

 

External painting started with an overall coat of acrylic aluminum (Revell 99), with some panels on the wings in grey (a protective lacquer, frequently applied on real-life Iskras). Then came a coat of highly thinned FS 34087 (Olive Drab) from Modelmaster, mixed with a little of Humbrol 72 (Khaki Drill) and applied with a soft, flat brush, leaving out areas where later the decals would be placed.

 

Once dry, the camouflaged areas received a wet sanding treatment, so that the edges would become bare metal again, and, here and there, the impression of flaked/worn paint was created.

 

Next came the tiger stripes. I somewhat wanted to create the three-different-painters look of C992, and so I not only used three different brushes for this task, I also used three different shades of black (acrylic “Flat Black”, "Tar Black" and “Anthracite” from Revell). Again, once dry, light sanding created a flaked/worn look.

 

The wings' undersides were left in aluminum, as well as the fuselage. This differs from the C992 benchmark, but I found the Iskra’s low stance to be more conclusive with an all NMF underside.

 

Cockpit and landing gear interior became medium grey (FS 36231). In a wake of Soviet-ism I painted the wheel discs in bright green, as a small color contrast to the otherwise rather murky aircraft.

 

The markings are a mix of IAF roundels for an early MiG-21 from a Begemot sheet, while the tactical code was taken from the Mistercraft OOB sheet. The yellow 10 Squadron badge was created with PC software and printed on white decal sheet – another, nice color highlight.

  

It looks harmless, but building the Mistercraft Iskra was a real PITA - now I know why I formerly only butchered this kit for donor parts... However, with the little modifications I made and some different ordnance the light aircraft sells its "attack/recce" role well, and the tiger livery looks pretty unique and ...Indian. And, once more, the beauty pics reveal that this paint scheme, while looking primarily decorative, is actually quite effective over typical northern Indian landscapes. C 992 can come! :D

Mamiya Six IV , Zuiko 7.5cm f/3.5 lens

kodak gold iso 200

Berlin boasts two zoological gardens, a consequence of decades of political and administrative division of the city. The older one, called Zoo Berlin, founded in 1844, is situated in what is now called the "City West". It is the most species-rich zoo worldwide. The other one, called Tierpark Berlin ("Animal Park"), was established on the long abandoned premises of Friedrichsfelde Manor Park in the eastern borough of Lichtenberg, in 1954. Covering 160 ha, it is the largest landcape zoo in Europe.

 

Karl Foerster war ein berühmter Staudenzüchter und Gartenphilosoph (1874 bis 1970). Sein Werk lebt weiter in den von ihm gezüchteten Stauden, von denen viele auch noch heute erhältlich sind, und in zahlreichen Gärte, die nach den von ihm entwickelten Prinzipien gestaltet wurden.Der Karl-Foerster-Garten im Tierpark Berlin wurde ab 1962 von der Gartenarchitektin Editha Bendig in enger Zusammenarbeit mit dem in Potsdam lebenden Karl Foerster entwickelt.

 

Karl Foerster was a famous perennial breeder and garden philosopher (1874 to 1970). His work lives on in the perennials he bred, many of which are still available today, and in numerous gardens designed according to the principles he developed.The Karl Foerster Garden in the Tierpark Berlin was developed from 1962 by the garden architect Editha Bendig in close collaboration with Karl Foerster, who lived in Potsdam.

Tuesday 22 November 2016, saw local Greater Manchester Police officers join HMP Manchester Community Team in a visit to St. Edward’s RC Priamry School in Lees, Oldham as part of the ‘Actions Have Consequences’ campaign.

‘Actions Have Consequences’ workshops inform pupils on how their actions can affect them and their local community and the negative outcomes that could occur if they were to stray off the beaten track.

 

Subjects include nuisance 999 calls, bullying, anti-social behaviour, stranger danger, internet safety as well as others. Although the workshops carry a serious message, they are structured to be fun, informative and engaging.

  

The HMP Community Team gave the young people an idea of the harsh reality of prison life and the dangers of knife and gang-related crime.

 

To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.

www.gmp.police.uk

 

You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.

 

Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.

 

You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

Dust from building sites and smog from cars covers the Beijing skies. 1,200 new cars are added to the congested roads each day.

 

I could hardly recognize the place - it's only been 18 months since my last visit.

 

Hasselblad 500C/M + 80mm + Ilford HP5

 

@10/01/2008 added border - looks better I think

 

A personal consequence of BREXIT?

Haus Lange in Krefeld is an address of pilgrimage for architectural studies and those people interested in Ludwig Mies von der Rohe’s style setting early work. Splendid and ageless architecture and garden environment.

Most recently this building became a new home for BREXIT refugee family that felt no longer welcome in England. Has it really become ‘a home’? If you watch the series of photos I took you might feel shocked as I was when I first lingered thru the stylish rooms. The car was still packed. The door was open… I entered as invited, saw valuable furniture, most goods still in boxes, piles of books. The pantechnicon obviously just left. Also very obvious: The landlady, mother and wife also left and will stay absent: ‘You will never see me again’ written on the mirror. That wasn’t a good sign. I felt sorry.

Then to my utmost horror I found the host floating dead in the pool… A husband, a father: dead! And nobody seems to care!

Even more desperate the boy hiding in the dining room – his distressed body language seems to ask: Can this my home? Where is my mother? Who is my mother? Where are my roots?

You may form your own opinion on this photo story – but being uprooted is the worst prerequisite for a new and positive start. Reasons are manifold. But if it comes to politics as a cause: Think before you vote, choose well whom you elect. It might affect your families’ life, too.

 

The artists Michael Elgreen and Ingar Dragset make us think with their fictive story and installation of an unhappy start in Haus Lange, Krefeld.

I as a photographer tried to transfer this mood and the atmosphre into 17 picture series ‘Die Zugezogenen’.

 

Krefeld, February 2017

Thomas Kopf

 

[Best viewed in lightbox format]

 

(From my previous posts in June:) Most seasoned photographers are probably well-experienced with the unpredictable consequences of taking lots and lots and lots of pictures of your favorite spot--only to find out later that something dreaded had happened. In my case, almost 100 pictures that I took in Zion and Yosemite National Parks ended up with a smudged lens. Major smudges! By the time I caught it, we had already departed Zion, and some of my very favorite locations were captured with a very smudged lens.

 

Now, I'm probably as much a perfectionist as are other quality photographers on Flickr whose work I admire, but I simply couldn't bear to not do something to save these imperfect but otherwise beautiful images. Zion is more than 1000 miles from our home in California and returning soon is just not going to be possible...

 

So here, dear viewer, is my own creative effort to save some of my beautiful and yes, rather smudged pictures. Thank goodness for Photoshop and its Mosaic tiles feature! I hope you still enjoy these. All are from our June 2018 trip to Zion National Park in Southern Utah

The consequences of the Coronavirus have inspired me to build this LEGO model.

 

People's worst fear: Running out of toilet paper.

 

Consequences

 

Lots of rain means burns in spate and, for some, the risk of flooding.

 

P101-9161 Taken at: Buckie Braes, Perth, Scotland.

Donald Trump's victory has prevented Irish rockers, U2, from dropping their latest album.

of poking one's nose in where it's not wanted

Egretta caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758) - little blue heron in Florida, USA. (December 2013)

 

Birds are small to large, warm-blooded, egg-laying, feathered, bipedal vertebrates capable of powered flight (although some are secondarily flightless). Many scientists characterize birds as dinosaurs, but this is consequence of the physical structure of evolutionary diagrams. Birds aren’t dinosaurs. They’re birds. The logic & rationale that some use to justify statements such as “birds are dinosaurs” is the same logic & rationale that results in saying “vertebrates are echinoderms”. Well, no one says the latter. No one should say the former, either.

 

However, birds are evolutionarily derived from theropod dinosaurs. Birds first appeared in the Triassic or Jurassic, depending on which avian paleontologist you ask. They inhabit a wide variety of terrestrial and surface marine environments, and exhibit considerable variation in behaviors and diets.

 

Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Vertebrata, Aves, Ciconiiformes, Ardeidae

 

Locality: Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, southwestern Florida, USA

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

See info. at:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_blue_heron

 

Bonkers' diaper slides down sometimes or becomes loose (because I didn't affix it correctly) so Naomi checks him periodically to ensure there is no containment breach, the consequences of which would be too horrid to describe.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based on historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Grumman F8F Bearcat is an American single-engine carrier-based fighter aircraft introduced in late World War II and it was Grumman Aircraft's last piston-engine fighter aircraft.

The Bearcat concept began during a meeting between Battle of Midway veteran F4F Wildcat pilots and Grumman Vice President Jake Swirbul at Pearl Harbor on 23 June 1942. At the meeting, Lieutenant Commander Jimmie Thach emphasized one of the most important requirements in a good fighter plane was "climb rate". Climb performance is strongly related to the power-to-weight ratio and is maximized by wrapping the smallest and lightest possible airframe around the most powerful available engine. Another goal was that the G-58 (Grumman's design designation for the aircraft) should be able to operate from escort carriers, which were then limited to the obsolescent F4F Wildcat as the Grumman F6F Hellcat was too large and heavy. A small, lightweight aircraft would make this possible. After intensively analyzing carrier warfare in the Pacific Theater of Operations for a year and a half, Grumman began development of the G-58 Bearcat in late 1943.

 

In 1943, Grumman was in the process of introducing the F6F Hellcat, powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine which provided 2,000 horsepower (1,500 kW). The R-2800 was the most powerful American engine available at that time, so it would be retained for the G-58. This meant that improved performance would have to come from a lighter airframe. To meet this goal, the Bearcat's fuselage was about 5 feet (1.5 m) shorter than the Hellcat and was cut down vertically behind the cockpit area. This allowed the use of a bubble canopy, the first to be fitted to a US Navy fighter. The vertical stabilizer was the same height as the Hellcat's, but increased aspect ratio, giving it a thinner look. The wingspan was 7 feet (2.1 m) less than the Hellcat's. Structurally the fuselage used flush riveting as well as spot welding, with a heavy gauge 302W aluminum alloy skin suitable for carrier landings. Armor protection was provided for the pilot, engine and oil cooler.

 

The Hellcat used a 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m) three-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller. A slight reduction in size was made by moving to a 12 ft 7 in (3.84 m) Aeroproducts four-bladed propeller. Keeping the prop clear of the deck required a long landing gear, though, which, combined with the shortened fuselage, gave the Bearcat a significant "nose-up" profile on the ground. The hydraulically operated undercarriage used an articulated trunnion which extended the length of the oleo legs when lowered; as the undercarriage retracted the legs were shortened, enabling them to fit into a wheel well which was entirely in the wing. An additional benefit of the inward retracting units was a wide track, which helped counter propeller torque on takeoff and gave the F8F good ground and carrier deck handling.

 

The design team had set the goal that the G-58 should weigh 8,750 pounds (3,970 kg) fully loaded. As development continued it became clear this was impossible to achieve as the structure of the new fighter had to be made strong enough for aircraft carrier landings. Ultimately much of the weight-saving measures included restricting the internal fuel capacity to 160 US gallons (610 l) (later 183 US gallons [690 l]) and limiting the fixed armament to just four .50 cal Browning M2/AN machine guns, two in each wing. The limited range due to the reduced fuel load would mean it would be useful in the interception role but meant that the Hellcat would still be needed for longer range patrols. A later role was defending the fleet against airborne kamikaze attacks. Compared to the Hellcat, the Bearcat was 20% lighter, had a 30% better rate of climb and was 50 mph (80 km/h) faster.

 

Another weight-saving concept the designers came up with was detachable wingtips. The wings were designed to fold at a point about 2⁄3 out along the span, reducing the space taken up on the carrier. Normally, the hinge system would have to be built very strong to transmit loads from the outer portions of the wing to the main spar in the inner section, which adds considerable weight. Instead of building the entire wing to be able to withstand high-g loads, only the inner portion of the wing was able to do this. The outer portions were more lightly constructed, and designed to snap off at the hinge line if the g-force exceeded 7.5 g. In this case the aircraft would still be flyable and could be repaired after returning to the carrier. This saved 230 pounds (100 kg) of weight.

 

The F8F prototypes were ordered in November 1943 and first flew on 21 August 1944, a mere nine months later. The first production aircraft was delivered in February 1945 and the first squadron, Fighter Squadron 19 (VF-19), was operational by 21 May 1945, but World War II was over before the aircraft saw combat service.

 

Postwar, the F8F became a major U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps fighter, equipping 24 fighter squadrons in the Navy and a smaller number in the Marines. Often mentioned as one of the best-handling piston engine fighters ever built, its performance was sufficient to outperform many early jets. However, in United States service the F9F Panther and McDonnell F2H Banshee soon replaced the Bearcat as their performance and other advantages eclipsed piston-engine fighters. Therefore, many Bearcats with low flying hours were put in storage and/or sold to other nations.

 

One of these post-war operators became Uruguay, even though only with few aircraft. In 1942, Uruguay had received Grumman J4F Widgeon, Vought OS2U Kingfisher and Fairchild PT-23A trainers from the US under Lend-Lease, and after the war these were returned. A fundamental modernization of the Uruguayan Navy’s aviation branch started directly after WWII, though. During the years 1949 to 1957, a large supply of American aircraft was delivered. Among these were North American SNJ-4, Grumman Avenger, Martin Mariner and a mixed bunch of 12 old Grumman F6F Hellcats (-3, -5, -5N), delivered in 1952, even though not without trouble: to avoid the appearance of the United States supporting a small South American country, the planes were indirectly sold by a private company, Cobell Industries, and this meant that the planes came without armament to make the deal legal. However, after arriving in Uruguay, the planes were retrofitted with armament and other military hardware, while the pilots received training in the United States.

 

Attrition among the Hellcats was high and several F6Fs were soon lost in accidents. To fill these operational gaps, Uruguay closed a similar private deal, but this time for ten F8F Bearcat airframes, once more without armament and other military equipment. These arrived disassembled in crates in 1959 by ship. Upon re-assembly the former, all-blue USN aircraft were re-armed with 20 mm cannon instead of the original 0.5” (12.7 mm) machine guns, and they received new radio and navigational equipment. An additional oil cooler was mounted, too, visibly protruding from the cowling in front of the windscreen. When the Bearcats became operational in 1960, only six F6F had survived so far, and the Hellcats were soon withdrawn from service and fully replaced by the Bearcats.

 

During the mid-1960s, most of the ANU’s WWII-era planes reached the end of their operational lives and were written off. The Bearcats remained the only dedicated fighter aircraft of the Uruguayan Naval Aviation, and to expand the ANU’s ranks and build a stock of spare airframes to cannibalize, four more F8Us were ordered in late 1960. During this period, more aircraft from U.S. stock arrived and Beechcraft T-34 A, Beechcraft C-45, Grumman S-2A Tracker, Bell TH-13 and Sikorsky CH-34J were incorporated. Some more T-34A/B Mentors were exchanged from the Uruguayan Air Force for SNJ spare parts. During this phase, the Uruguayan Navy aircraft adopted a new high-visibility livery that had been introduced by the U.S. Navy in 1955, consisting of light gull grey over white. It replaced the former common overall dark sea blue paint scheme (sometimes with light grey undersides, as on the F6Fs).

The former tactical codes and large national insignia in four positions on the wings were initially retained, but this later changed into smaller wing roundels and “Armada” lettering replaced the large tactical codes on the fuselage – these were replaced with smaller markings on cowling and fin, now without the typical “A-“ (for Armada = Navy) prefix. The codes superficially resembled USN modex style codes now, but they were still just consecutive numbers as before. Another detail all ANU aircraft retained after their general livery update was the Uruguayan flag on the fin instead of a stylized banner version of the roundels, which were carried by the air force.

 

Towards the late Sixties, Uruguay was caught by political turmoil. In the late 1950s, partly because of a worldwide decrease in demand for Uruguayan agricultural products, Uruguayans suffered from a steep drop in their standard of living, which led to student militancy and labor unrest. An armed group, known as the Tupamaros, emerged in the 1960s, engaging in activities such as bank robbery, kidnapping and assassination, in addition to attempting an overthrow of the government.

President Jorge Pacheco declared a state of emergency in 1968, followed by a further suspension of civil liberties in 1972. In 1973, amid increasing economic and political turmoil, the armed forces, asked by the President Juan María Bordaberry, disbanded Parliament and established a civilian-military regime. The CIA-backed campaign of political repression and state terror involving intelligence operations and assassination of opponents was called Operation Condor. The Uruguayan Naval Aviation did not get directly involved in the inner tensions and the F8Fs saw only sporadic use during this phase, primarily in “show of force” appearances. They did not fire in anger, though, and served on well into the Seventies, even though maintenance became more and more complicated and expensive. In consequence, more and more machines had to be grounded or even fully retired and cannibalized to keep the small fleet flightworthy.

 

In 1979 nine North American T-28D Fennec and three C-45 were donated by the Argentinian Navy, and in 1980 the ANU’s F8Fs, which were now primarily used as attack aircraft, were retired, after only five of the original fourteen aircraft had been left operational. The Fennecs were used as a light attack platform until 2000.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 28 ft 3 in (8.61 m)

Wingspan: 35 ft 10 in (10.92 m)

Height: 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m)

Wing area: 244 sq ft (22.7 m²)

Aspect ratio: 5.02

Airfoil: root: NACA 23018; tip: NACA 23009

Empty weight: 7,650 lb (3,470 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 13,460 lb (6,105 kg)

 

Powerplant:

1× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine,

with 2,250 hp (1,680 kW), driving an Aeroproducts 4-bladed constant-speed propeller

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 455 mph (732 km/h, 395 kn)

Range: 1,105 mi (1,778 km, 960 nmi)

Service ceiling: 40,800 ft (12,400 m)

Rate of climb: 4,465 ft/min (22.68 m/s)

Wing loading: 42 lb/sq ft (210 kg/m²)

Power/mass: 0.22 hp/lb (0.36 kW/kg)

 

Armament:

4× 20 mm (.79 in) AN/M3 cannon with a total of 820 rounds

1× ventral (1.600 lb /725 kg) plus 2× underwing hardpoints (1.000 lb /454 kg each)

for a total ordnance of 3.600 lb (1.600 kg), including 150 and 200 gal. drop tanks,

4× 5” (127 mm) and/or bombs of up to 1,000 lb (454 kg) caliber

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather simple what-if project is #2 in my current “Uruguayan What-if Series”. I had a surplus FROG 1:72 F8F in the Stash™ that I had bought in a cheap lot a while ago, but never had – beyond tentatively switching the engine to a Centaurus and painting it in Royal Navy colors – a good plan for it. This changed when I came across the Mistercraft F6F-5, a re-boxed Heller kit that comes with a vast decal set for no less than eight aircraft that also includes the exotic Uruguayan Navy markings from the Fifties. The idea: couldn’t the nimble F8F be a good complement or even a replacement for the ill-fated Uruguayan Hellcats?

 

Therefore, this became a simple “re-badging” of an unmodified Bearcat, just with some minor cosmetic twists. These included cockpit implants like a tub with side consoles (IIRC from a Heller Me 262) and a dashboard (of uncertain origin), some additional antennae (including a scratched IDF loop antenna fairing) on the back as well as a small pitot under the left wing. As a pure fighter I outfitted the Bearcat just with its OOB ventral drop tank (the bombs and HVARs that come with the kit look rather fishy). The propeller was replaced, too, with a (much) better alternative left over from an ArtModel F8F-2, the (by far) best kit of the Bearcat I have come across yet. It was mounted on a plastic rod which perfectly matched the opening/channel in the engine block, spinning free.

 

The FROG F8F is a simple, if not primitive and crude, affair, and fit is only mediocre – especially the wing/fuselage intersection did not fit at all. There are huge trenches around the flaps on the lower wing surfaces, and the landing gear is rather massive – just like anything else about the model. You get raised panel lines, but they are rather fine and there are not too many of them.

After having built the FROG kit I think it’s (even) weaker than the vintage Monogram kit, which is riddled with rivets and panel lines, but leaves overall a better impression. Gotta try the relatively new Hobby Boss 1:72 F8F someday, too – it looks like a compromise between all other kits.

  

Painting and markings:

A secondary factor behind this build was the plan to paint an F8F in the later USN grey-over-white high-viz livery, which some very late USMC AUs carried in real life. Since many aircraft of the Uruguayan Navy adopted this livery style in the late Sixties, too (e. g. the S-2 Trackers), it would look very natural on an ANU Bearcat.

 

The model was molded in dark-blue plastic and applying white was quite challenging. I relied upon a special, highly opaque white acrylic paint (rattle can) as a primer, Light Gull Grey (FS 36440, Humbrol 40) was added with a brush later. A dirty black (Revell 06) anti-glare panel was added in front of the windscreen. As an individual detail the propeller boss was painted red – inspired by a USN F8F I saw in literature with such a marking, and the real ANU Hellcats had their propeller bosses painted red, too.

 

The cockpit interior as well as the inside of the cowling were painted in chromate green (I used Humbrol 150), while the landing gear and its respective wells became, after long consideration, white. Being former USN aircraft, the F8Fs would certainly have had green bays with dark blue landing gear struts and wheel discs upon delivery – but I referred to pictures from the real ANU F6Fs as benchmark, and these had apparently all-white landing gear surfaces, matching their undersides, so I adopted this style for the Bearcat, too.

 

The kit received a light overall washing with black ink and some post-panel shading. As mentioned above, the decals came from a Mistercraft F6F (roundels and fin flash), while an Croco Models aftermarket sheet with decals for south American T-34s provided the basis for the tactical codes. The unit emblems on the cowling were taken from the same sheet, even though the actually belong to a Uruguayan Air Force T-34.

 

After some detail painting (exhaust stubs, oil cooler, position lights) and weathering (exhaust and gun soot with graphite) the model was sealed with matt acrylic varnish. Because the Bearcat would have been rather freshly painted, I omitted oil stains around the engine and the oil cooler.

  

Not a complex project, and the FROG Bearcat was a bit of a disappointment – but what could I expect from a mold dating back to 1975? Well, it found a good use – and in the Sixties’ USN high-viz livery the compact F8F looks a bit like a juvenile Douglas AD/A-1 Skyraider?

Tattoo malfunction spotted on the London Underground

**This first paragraph is a consequence of information naming this building as the Mosquito Creek Hall. "Mosquito Creek was applied to a school south of Adelaide. This little government school is six miles from Langhorne's Creek on the main road to Wellington. It was opened in January 1913, has a roll number of under 20, but it has lately distinguished itself in a manner which has brought it prominently before the public. The Gould League for the protection of birds... yearly offers for competition among the schools a fine silver challenge cup for essays written on a tree and bird of any district. This year the winning essays were written by Annie Gardner, a pupil at the school. Mr Gregory Matthews, the renowned ornithologist... presented her with two beautiful books and the silver cup...

It closed in 1946. [Ref: Manning's Place Names of South Australia]

 

Mulgundawa is a locality on the north coast of Lake Alexandrina between Langhorne Creek and Wellington, South Australia.

Mulgundawa Inn was a popular stopping place during the gold rush of the 1850s. A school was built by 1882. The school was used for meetings and social events, many school fund-raising events and church was conducted there.

 

Australian Saltworks operates from the Mulgundawa Saltworks which is Australia’s oldest salt business. Salt harvesting at the company’s site commenced in the 1870s when salt was bagged and shipped from the Mulgundawa jetty by boat to Milang and then to market in Adelaide. Salt refining was well established on the site by the late 1890s.

Today Australian Saltworks operates solar salt fields in South Australia north of Lake Alexandrina near the mouth of the Murray River. The company is privately owned and has a history and reputation of reliable supply of quality solar salt products. [Ref: Australian Saltworks website]

 

September 1

The Mulgundawa jetty will very soon be out of the contractor's hands, but it will be very far from being available for the purpose for which it was intended. No tramway or truck (to say nothing of a crane) for conveying wheat &c, across the jetty to the boat: the metalled causeway to it neither blinded nor rolled: and, to crown all, the sides of the causeway have not the palpable necessary facing of stone to prevent the loose soil of which it is composed being washed away by high tides.

Nothing is more certain than if the sides of the embankment are not pitchpaved (I believe they call it), the way will become disintegrated by the wash of water during some of the gales which are not unfrequent here. In its present state it is anything but creditable to the foresight or resources of the Superintending Engineer or the magnates of the Public Works Department. [Ref: Southern Argus (Port Elliot SA) 4-9-1869]

 

Charles Johnston Knight arrived in South Australia from Scotland on the ‘Arab’ in 1843. He settled at Mulgundawa in 1856. He was one of the south’s earliest settlers. By 1910 he had retired and his sons John and Joseph managed the property.

 

The death is reported of Mr Charles Johnston Knight, of Mulgundawa, near Langhorne's Creek (South Australia).

He was 92 years of age and arrived in early manhood in South Australia. He was a noted breeder of Merino sheep, and in this connection was assisted by his two sons, John S and Joseph B Knight. [Ref: West Australian (Perth WA) Friday 23 July 1915]

 

School Board of Advice Strathalbyn August 11

The Minister to be informed …that the Mulgundawa School, as per map of school district, is not under the control of this board. [Ref: Southern Argus 16-8-1883]

 

May 13 - The Bremer last night at Langhorne's Bridge was over the banks. It has now gone down five or six feet. Eastward towards Mulgundawa the road was submerged for five or six feet, and today, in places, is for considerable distances under water. Mosquito Creek has a great flood, and though now somewhat subsided, is running strongly, in places a quarter of a mile wide, and flocks of ducks and teal are near the road. At Pott’s vast sheets of water are coming close to the house. There have been heavy rains and strong winds for several days about Wellington and the lake. [Ref: South Australian Advertiser 14-5-1884]

 

School Board of Advice - Notice received of Miss Skinner's resignation as provisional teacher at Mulgundawa School.

Board resolved to recommend that Mulgundawa school be included in Strathalbyn District. [Ref: Southern Argus 19-6-1884]

 

Provisional Teacher Harriet Dalton appointed to Mulgundawa. [Ref: Express and Telegraph (Adelaide) 13-12-1888]

 

The Marine Board

It was decided to approve the repairing of Milang jetty with material removed from Mulgundawa jetty. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 31-8-1894]

 

The late Mr H Daenke

Mr Daenke had been a resident of the Lake District for a long term of years, formerly conducting the Mulgundawa Hotel, and subsequently that at Langhorne's Creek, from which place he moved to Milang.

He had been associated with public matters during the whole of his residence in the south, occupying the position of district Councillor for a long term, and that of Chairman of the Bremer Council for several years, holding that Office at the time of his death. He was a Justice of Peace. [Ref; Southern Argus (Port Elliot) 9-7-1896]

 

A Rival - A new industry—that of salt-refining—is being established at Mulgundawa, (says the Mount Barker paper) where Messrs Templer and Benson are erecting works. The lagoons along the lake shores at this place are said to contain immense quantities of salt of excellent quality, and hopes are entertained of the industry becoming a large and profitable one. [Ref: Pioneer (Yorketown) 11-3-1898]

 

A lantern entertainment given on Saturday evening, June 11th, in the Mulgundawa schoolroom was a source of much pleasure and interest to the inhabitants scattered over this isolated district, there being a very good attendance. [Ref: Southern Argus (Port Elliot) 16-6-1898]

 

Stopped for the season

The Salt Company at Mulgundawa (writes the Langhorne's Creek correspondent to the "Register") have left off scraping for the season. They are of opinion that they have enough salt out to keep them going for a while. About fourteen men were paid off last week. [Ref: Pioneer (Yorketown) 10-3-1899]

 

£1 1s voted towards demonstration and entertainment of school children at Mulgundawa school on coronation day. [Ref: Southern Argus (Port Elliot) 19-6-1902]

 

A successful concert and social were given here on Friday evening last. The programme consisted of tableaux, songs, recitations, and dialogues by the school children.

Supper was provided by the ladies, and afterwards dancing was indulged in. A collection taken in aid of "Minda" amounted to £1 10/. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 15-11-1902]

 

On Monday morning, says the Southern Argus (Strathalbyn), Mr Charles Besley, who is in charge of the salt works at Mulgundawa, met with a painful accident, his right hand getting caught in the cog wheels of one of the machines. [Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide) 7-8-1903]

 

Provisional Teacher Ethel M Warner appointed Mulgundawa – On probation under regulation 295. [Ref: Adelaide Observer 26-11-1904]

 

Another Railway suggested

Langhorne’s Creek, August 30. A largely attended meeting was held this evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, to consider the question of a branch railway from Murray Bridge to Victor Harbour, passing through the districts of Mulgundawa, Langhorne's Creek, and Belvidere, to some point on the Port Victor line. Mr J Cheriton (Chairman of the Bremer Council) presided over the meeting, which included representatives from Mulgundawa, Angas Plains, Lake Plains, Belvidere, and Strathalbyn. [Ref; Register (Adelaide) 1-9-1909]

 

The permanent railway commission are today to visit the Mulgundawa country, driving from Murray Bridge over the suggested route of railway, and taking evidence. At Mulgundawa they will be met by motors and brought via Langhorne's Creek to Strathalbyn. [Ref: Southern Argus 12-6-1913]

*Unfortunately this railway did not eventuate.

 

Last week George Rednap was working as a labourer on a farm at Mulgundawa for a weekly wage: today he is worth £5,000 and will shortly be on his way to Cornwall. Two years ago he decided to search for a fortune in Australia.

Recently he bought a ticket in a Tattersall's Sweep, and it drew the first horse and £5000. He is supporting his widowed mother and is a quiet, steady fellow. His employer (Mr Schenscher) speaks highly of him. His mother has been asking him to return home for some time, and he states that he will now be able to gratify her wish. [Ref: Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA)17-2-1911]

 

Late Private F Winter

Mr and Mrs Richard Winter, of Langhorne's Creek, have been advised of the death from wounds of their eldest son, Private Frank Winter.

Private Winter, who died on November 18 at the 38th Clearing Station in Belgium, was 26 years of age. He was born at Langhorne's Creek and spent most of his boyhood on Nalpa Station near Wellington. He was educated at the Mulgundawa and Flaxley schools. [Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide) 9-12-1916]

 

Late Sgt A Winter

Sgt A Winter was killed in action in France on April 26, was the second son of Mr and Mrs R Winter, of Langhorne’s Creek. He was born at Nalpa Station, near Wellington, and received his education at the Mulgundawa and Flaxley Schools.

 

He enlisted on March 5, 1915, and left for Egypt, in the following June, with reinforcements of the 10th Battalion. After a brief sojourn in Egypt he was sent to Gallipoli where he contracted measles and enteritis.

He was returned Alexandria. Early in the new year his brother joined him, and both were transferred into the same battalion. After spending a few months in the desert they departed for France, at the end of May, 1916.

Of three sons who enlisted, two have made the supreme sacrifice. [Ref: Register (Adelaide) 13-7-1918]

 

Murray Bridge to Mulgundawa Road

Mr H D Young MP, waited on the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Hon G R Laffer), and introduced a deputation from the District Councils of Murray Bridge and Brinkley asking that the road from Murray Bridge to Mulgundawa be placed on the main roads schedule and that in the meantime a grant, to enable the council to construct the road, be made. It was stated that a large amount of money had been spent on the road, but the councils had come to the end of their resources.

Fifteen years ago there were only two or three settlers in the district and now practically the whole of the land was settled.

The heavy mallee carting traffic had cut up the road badly. Patching had proved useless, and the council wanted immediate help. [Ref; Daily Herald 20-9-1920]

 

Mr W C Humphrey

A well-known personality of the Mulgundawa district in the person of Mr William Charles Humphrey, died at his residence, Murray Bridge, on Monday, in his 82nd year.

He was born at Finniss, and at the age of eight years, went to Mulgundawa with his parents, and subsequently took over the farm, which he worked till about 11 years ago, when he moved into Murray Bridge. He leaves a family of two sons and two daughters all of whom reside at Mulgundawa. [Ref: Southern Argus (Port Elliot) 16-1-1936]

 

A recent customer review of a FedEx store. The side images are consequences of gun violence considered acceptable as a result of FedEx's partnership with the NRA as decided by their board of directors. The image at left is Samantha Fuentes, a student who was shot in both legs and hit in the face with shrapnel, some which is still lodged behind her eye. The image at right is another victim (name withheld) who was killed. The image is from a cell-phone video taken as students were being led out by first responders. Ironically, the students being evacuated from the school can hardly be considered a "rescue" as the shooter himself was also outside, and not yet found or captured.

 

A link to some videos taken during the school shooting is below. It is extremely graphic, and disturbing to watch. I am only including it because I was astonished to learn that FedEx feels this type of activity should be normal in the course of a child's life.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5FyPIgaj0

About the students who produced the cell-phone videos, what they did required an amazing amount of mental fortitude, and clear-mindedness even in the face of imminent and grave danger to their own lives. The video provides only a very small hint of what it would be like to be in the school on that day. It fortifies my position that stronger gun control is needed, and makes me wonder how FedEx can continue to approach this issue with such callousness and disregard for human life. I plan to keep this page up so long as FedEx continues their partnership with the NRA.

One of the serious negative consequences of the People's Republic of China's rapid industrial development has been increased pollution and degradation of natural resources. A 1998 World Health Organization report on air quality in 272 cities worldwide concluded that seven of the world's 10 most polluted cities were in China. Rapid industrialisation in the Pearl River Delta has also contributed to worsening air pollution in Hong Kong.

 

China's increasingly polluted environment is largely a result of the country's rapid development and consequently a large increase in primary energy consumption, which is almost entirely produced by burning coal. China has pursued a development model which prioritises exports-led growth (similar to many other East Asian countries), by expediting increases in manufacturing capacity, largely in the absence of any significant ecological or pollution controls to reduce polluting emissions from the nation's rapidly industrialising economy. With regard to biological resources China has developed a Biodiversity Action Plan to address protection of vulnerable species and productive habitats.

 

Various studies estimate pollution costs the Chinese economy about 7-10% of GDP each year.

 

Since 2002, the number of complaints to the environmental authorities has increased by 30% every year, reaching 600,000 in 2004; while the number of mass protests caused by environmental issues has grown by 29% every year.

 

The PRC's leaders are increasingly paying attention to the country's severe environmental problems. In March 1998, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) was officially upgraded to a ministry-level agency, reflecting the growing importance the PRC Government places on environmental protection. In recent years, the PRC has strengthened its environmental legislation and made some progress in stemming environmental deterioration. In 1999, the PRC invested more than one percent of GDP in environmental protection, a proportion that will likely increase in coming years. During the 10th 5-Year Plan, the PRC plans to reduce total emissions by 10%. Beijing in particular is investing heavily in pollution control as part of its campaign to host a successful Olympiad in 2008. Some cities have seen improvement in air quality in recent years.

 

The Xinhua News Agency has quoted an environmental official, Wang Jinnan, as saying that more than 410,000 Chinese die as a result of pollution each year.

 

Air pollution

 

According to the People's Republic of China's own evaluation, two-thirds of the 338 cities for which air-quality data are available are considered polluted--two-thirds of them moderately or severely so. Respiratory and heart diseases related to air pollution are the leading cause of death in China. Acid rain falls on 30% of the country. China is about 20 years behind the U.S. schedule of environmental regulation and 20 to 30 years behind Europe. Smogs are reportedly to increase every year because of the many cars used everyday.

 

Water pollution

 

Almost all of the nation's rivers are considered polluted to some degree, and half of the population lacks access to clean water. Ninety percent of urban water bodies are severely polluted. Water scarcity also is an issue; for example, severe water scarcity in Northern China is a serious threat to sustained economic growth and has forced the government to begin implementing a largescale diversion of water from the Yangtze River to northern cities, including Beijing and Tianjin.

 

An explosion at a petrochemical plant in Jilin City on 13 November 2005 caused a large discharge of nitrobenzene into the Songhua River. Levels of the carcinogen were so high that the entire water supply to Harbin city (pop 3.8M) was cut off for five days between 21 November 2005 and 26 November 2005, though it was only on 23 November that officials admitted that a severe pollution incident was the reason for the cut off.

 

The responsibility for dealing with water is split between several agencies within the government. Water pollution is the responsibility of the environmental authorities, but the water itself is managed by the Ministry of Water Resources. Sewage is dealt with by the Ministry of Construction, but groundwater falls within the realm of the Ministry of Land and Resources.

 

Eight-legged frogs are being seen in China

 

Water projects

 

The question of environmental impacts associated with the Three Gorges Dam project has generated controversy among environmentalists inside and outside China. Critics claim that erosion and silting of the Yangtze River threaten several endangered species, while Chinese officials say the dam will help prevent devastating floods and generate clean hydroelectric power that will enable the region to lower its dependence on coal, thus lessening air pollution.

 

A large "south-to-north" water diversion project, will cost US$57 billion, take 50 years to construct, and divert water from China's four largest rivers to the municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin, and the province of Hebei.

 

CO2 emissions

 

The People's Republic of China is an active participant in the climate change talks and other multilateral environmental negotiations, and claims to take environmental challenges seriously but is pushing for the developed world to help developing countries to a greater extent. It is a signatory to the Basel Convention governing the transport and disposal of hazardous waste and the Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, as well as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the Kyoto Protocol, although China is not required to reduce its carbon emissions under the terms of the present agreement.

 

Environment and development riots

 

Industrial pollution has its most severe impact on the poor and in China, pollution incidents have been so serious as to be the cause of rioting in recent years. The lack of democracy and corruption in development of factories and plants is a source of tension.

 

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Tam Sơn, Quản Bạ, Hà Giang Province, Vietnam

Handmade Collage

The consequences of the problems that arose with 45231's wheel-flats discovered on Good Friday, 2 April 2021 have almost concluded in south Wales as today (16 April 2021) the Black 5 was taken away by low-loader from Port Talbot 'Up' Sidings for rectification. For those that know nothing about the movement from where the failure was declared, Llandeilo and the aforementioned Port Talbot 'Up' Sidings, on 13 April two EE Type 3s, D6817/D6851 worked light engine from Crewe to Llandeilo. From there they worked a slow moving rescue to get 45231 complete with a wheel-skate on the tender's leading front axle to a suitable location to load the locomotive and tender onto low-loaders, Port Talbot 'Up' Sidings. Once the removal of 45231 was complete the two Type 3s led the support coach as 5Z37, the 13.54 Port Talbot 'Up' Sidings to Crewe. The working is seen passing through Pyle station and about to get stuck in to Stormy bank, I doubt if speed was reduced by the weight of the load!

 

D6817 was new in March 1963 and allocated to Tinsley, being renumbered 37117 and then 37521; D6851 is a little younger having been commissioned in July 1963 at Canton, renumbered 37151 and later 37667. They both looked superb in BR Green with small warning panels, about six photographers gathered on the station to witness the event.

Lc-a | Fuji Sensia 400 | Tetenal Colortec C-41 (30°) | xprocess

 

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Elephant Butte Reservoir offers excellent boating and fishing for all. It is located near Truth of Consequences, New mexico