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he trend of Pakistani women diplomats breaking through the glass ceiling and competing for promotions to the foreign ministry’s senior levels continues to gain momentum. From the time that lone additional secretary, Ms Khurshid Haider, sat in Hotel Sheherzade, the change is marked and stark.
Now at home and abroad women professionals continue to gain prominence while also earning some coveted positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the elite service once virtually a male monopoly.
At present, Pakistan has 117 diplomatic missions abroad including consulates and embassies. The current strength of serving ambassadors is 76. The survey conducted by The Nation also suggested the existence of a clear trend of women officers preferring Foreign Service over the last five years.
Currently, at the headquarters, six women officers are in the top echelon heading key divisions including Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. They also hold senior positions in important divisions including South Asia. A dozen women officers are heads and deputy heads of missions abroad with an even larger number of relatively junior officers posted at important foreign missions, a sizeable number in European countries.
According to the latest data obtained from the personnel division of MOFA, of the current 490 serving officers, 68 are women constituting 14 percent of the total officer strength. Simply put, one in every 7 officers is a woman, a slight improvement from the previous year when the ratio was one in eight. Of the 68 women officers, one is a special secretary, five additional secretaries, three DGs and five directors.
For the first time in the history of foreign affairs ministry there are six women officers who have made their mark as special and additional secretaries, making their presence visible on the third floor reserved for ministry’s tops brass.
Ms Attiya Mehmood, the senior-most, is designated special secretary while Ms Seema Naqvi, Ms Naghmana Hashmi, Ms Ayesha Riyaz, Ms Naela Chohan and Ms Tasnim Aslam are all additional secretaries.
The high profile Americas division is currently headed by Ms Naghmana Hashmi, formerly Pakistan’s ambassador to Ireland. Notably, she is assisted by two women officers in this key division. Ms Mumtaz Zahra Baloch is director Americas and Ms Alaa Mazhar Bokhari the assistant director.
Ms Ayesha Riyaz, former ambassador to Switzerland, is currently the additional secretary Europe at the headquarters. However, she is due to proceed to Vienna next month for another ambassadorial assignment. She will then be replaced by another senior woman diplomat Ms Tasnim Aslam who has already been given charge as the acting additional secretary Europe. Ms Aslam previously served as ambassador to Morocco and Italy. She became the first female officer to be appointed spokesperson of the Foreign Office in 2005. Ms Naila Chohan, former ambassador to Argentina, now heads the Middle East and Africa division as additional secretary.
An equally important position of director-general South Asia division is held by Ms Riffat Masood, who served as consul-general in Los Angeles, US, before being given the charge of her current appointment. She is the second woman officer to head this challenging division – ambassador Zehra Akbari was the first. Ms Leena Moazzam holds the post of director-general Policy Planning and Public Diplomacy and another director-general rank officer, Ms Iffat Gardezi, is currently on a mandatory course in Lahore.
At the headquarters, women officers are also assigned to other important desks and directorates including UN, International Cooperation, ECO and OIC.
The names and countries of posting of women envoys from the Foreign Service cadre on ambassadorial assignments are: Ms Fauzia Abbas, ambassador to Denmark; Ms Humaira Hasan, ambassador to Portugal; Ms Tehmina Janjua, ambassador to Italy; Ms Zehra Akbari, ambassador to New Zealand; Ms Raana Rahim, ambassador to Lebanon; Ms Attiya Mehmood ambassador-designate to Indonesia; and Ms Ayesha Riyaz, ambassador-designate to Austria.
Notably no Pakistani woman career diplomat has ever been assigned the politically and strategically key ambassadorial postings, for example in China, India, Iran, Moscow or the US. The only three women who served as Pakistan’s ambassadors to the US – Ms Abida Husain, Ms Maleeha Lodhi and Ms Sherry Rehman – were all political appointees.
Women officers posted as deputy heads of missions (DHM) are: Ms Amna Baloch, DHM Sri Lanka; Ms Asima Rabbani, DHM Australia; Ms Aisha Farooqui, DHM Turkey; and Ms Samina Mehtab, DHM, Canada. Ms Saadia Altaf Qazi is, Consul, Houston (USA); Ms Farhat Ayesha, Consul, Shanghai (China); and Ms Batool Kazim, Consul, Vancouver (Canada). Another senior officer Ms Momina Banday is a minister at Pakistan embassy in Washington.
Moreover, several young women officers have been posted as counsellors, first, second and third secretaries in Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in some key world capitals including Ankara, Beijing, Colombo, Dhaka, Moscow, Madrid, Paris and Vienna. Notably three women officers including a counsellor, Ms Saqlain Syeda, are working at the Pakistan embassy in Beijing and two at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Two women officers are posted in the UN mission to Geneva and one to the EU mission in Brussels.
Pakistan Foreign Service opened to women only in 1973 as a result of the 1972 Administrative Reforms but so far no government has appointed a woman foreign secretary. However, given the steady rise of competent and committed women professionals in the top hierarchy and on the frontlines of diplomacy, the prospects of Pakistan having its first woman secretary are not remote. The decision for this ultimately rests with the government of the day. India now has its third woman foreign secretary, the first one was appointed in the post in 2001.
www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-o...
Að ganga upp að Víti og Öskjuvatni í yndislegu veðri er draumi líkast. Gufuna leggu upp af dökkum sandinum og krafturinn í náttúrunni er svo mikill að maður getur nánast gengið endalaust.
Beginning with the 2nd century B.C., and continuing into the 6th century A.D., the paintings and sculptures in the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, inspired by Buddhism and its compassionate ethos, unleashed a surge of artistic excellence unmatched in human history. These Buddhist and Jain caves are ornately carved, yet seem quiet and meditative and exude a divine energy and power.
About 107 km from the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, are the rock-out caves of Ajanta nestled in a panoramic gorge, in the form of a gigantic horseshoe. A set of 29 caves, Ajanta is among the finest examples of some of the earliest Buddhist architecture, cave paintings and sculptures. These caves comprise Chaitya halls or shrines, dedicated to Lord Buddha and Viharas or monasteries, used by Buddhist monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings. The paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves depict incidents from the life of lord Buddha and various Buddhist divinities. Among the most interesting paintings are the Jataka tales, illustrating diverse stories relating to the previous incarnations of the Buddha as Bodhisattava, a saintly being who is destined to become the Buddha. These elaborate sculptures and paintings stand in impressive grandeur in spite of withstanding the ravages of time. Amid the beautiful images and paintings are sculptures of Buddha, calm and serene in contemplation.
The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 km north of Aurangabad. Sculptors, inspired by Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, created elaborate rock carvings. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas or halls of worship, Viharas or monasteries and Hindu and Jain temples. Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century A.D., the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (Cave 29). The most imposing excavation is, without doubt, that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is the largest monolithic structure in the world. Known as Verul in ancient times, it has continuously attracted pilgrims through the centuries to the present day.
Declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO since 1983, the paintings and sculptures of Ajanta and Ellora, considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, have had a great influence in the development of art in India. The creative use of colour and freedom of expression used in depicting human and animal forms makes the cave paintings at Ajanta one of the high watermarks of artistic creativity. The Ellora preserved as an artistic legacy that will continue to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come. Not only is this cave complex a unique artistic creation and an excellent example of technological exploit but also, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India.
I continue to wear these size 7 Puma Mostros regularly despite their condition, as they are quite comfortable.
What is left of the soles are only held on by the straps and a little bit of glue, most of it has come apart. Some time ago the toe on the left shoe came completely loose, so I glued the tip back to the upper. What's left seems adequate for now.
The original outersole got hard and crumbled years ago, most has either worn or crumbled away by now. The inner midsole came loose, so I pulled it out. I could wear them with the innersoles, but prefer them without, All that is left is the very thin rubber midsole, some plastic attachments, and a little of the cracked, crumbling outersole. The heels are wearing completely away.
The leather uppers have several tears, and are cracking and worn thin in places, but are still serviceable.
When and if more of the original glue fails and the sole comes unwearably loose, I'll probably reattach it enough to wear them, since the strap holds one side of the sole to the upper.
These shoes are well on the way to becoming another pair of "barefoot shoes" like my Cappezios.
Gosh and Golly! As we continue onward cleaning out and organizing the garage, I am finding so many things from the past that I inherited or used to play with that were my parent’s.
This is a wonderful vintage (1956) paper doll of Debbie Reynolds. What I like about it is that when you open it (It is a booklet), the inside is a diorama. Check out the dated wonderful luggage.
continues to show signs of hope, despite it all.
Successful Fishing.....Followed by ...
Yellow-billed Loon YBLO (Gavia adamsii)
Saanichton Spit
Greater Victoria, BC
shots Taken on June 19, 2016
+++ DISCLAIMER +++
Nothing you see here is real, even though the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!
Some background:
The North American F-86 Sabre, sometimes called the Sabrejet, was a transonic jet fighter aircraft, produced by North American Aviation. The Sabre is best known as the United States' first swept wing fighter that could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high-speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War (1950–1953).
Considered one of the best and most important fighter aircraft in that war, the F-86 is also rated highly in comparison with fighters of other eras. Although it was developed in the late 1940s and was outdated by the end of the '50s, the Sabre proved versatile and adaptable, and continued as a front-line fighter in numerous air forces until the last active operational examples were retired by the Bolivian Air Force in 1994. Its success led to an extended production run of more than 7,800 aircraft between 1949 and 1956, in the United States, Japan and Italy.
One of the many F-86 operators was the Iraq. The Royal Iraqi Air Force (RIrAF) was still recovering from its destruction by the British in 1948 when they joined in the war against the newly created state of Israel in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Even though the RIrAF had some modern aircraft, the RIrAF played only a small role in the first war against Israel.
From 1950 to 1958 most of the RIrAF aircraft were from the United Kingdom, e. g. Hawker Fury fighters and trainers. The first jet fighters, the de Havilland Vampire of the RIrAF, were delivered in 1953. The RIrAF also received de Havilland Venoms and Hawker Hunters during the mid-1950s. 4 Bristol 170 Freighters were received in 1953. In 1954 and 1956, 19 de Havilland Vampire jet fighters and 14 ex-RAF Hawkers, funded by the U.S., were delivered.
In order to modernize the aircraft fleet (esp. as a replacement for the piston engine Hawker Sea Furies), a “large number” of F-86s were directly ordered in the US by the Royal Iraqi government in the late 1950s. The total order volume remained unclear, but was estimated by third parties to encompass 200 aircraft, also including radar-equipped F-86K interceptors.
However, the government of King Faisal II was overthrown by a violent coup in 1958, and Iraq left the pro-Western Baghdad Pact shortly afterwards. As a result, the US government vetoed further arms sales to Iraq after only five F-86Fs had been delivered. As a further result of the revolution, the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) dropped the "Royal" from its name and the Soviets were quick to supply MiG-17s, and later MiG-19 and MiG-21 fighters, as well as Ilyushin Il-28 bombers to the new Iraqi government.
Little is known about the Iraqi F-86Fs’ fate, although it is believed that they were stored at Habbaniya at first and then passed on to Pakistan in 1963.
General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 37 ft 1 in (11.4 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.3 m)
Height: 14 ft 1 in (4.5 m)
Wing area: 313.4 sq ft (29.11 m²)
Empty weight: 11,125 lb (5,046 kg)
Loaded weight: 15,198 lb (6,894 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 18,152 lb (8,234 kg)
Internal JP-4 fuel load: 437 US gallons (1,650 L)
Powerplant:
1× General Electric J47-GE-27 turbojet, rated at 5,910 lbf (26.3 kN)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 687 mph (1,106 km/h) at sea level
Stall speed: 124 mph (108 knots/200 km/h)
Range: 1,525 mi, (2,454 km)
Service ceiling: 49,600 ft at combat weight (15,100 m)
Rate of climb: 9,000 ft/min at sea level (45.72 m/s)
Wing loading: 49.4 lb/ft² (236.7 kg/m²)
Lift-to-drag: 15.1
Thrust/weight: 0.42
Armament:
6x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M3 Browning machine guns with 300 RPG
4x underwing hardpoints for a 5,300 lb (2,400 kg) payload, including 2x200 US gallons (760 L)
drop tanks on the wet, outer pair of pylons; plus 2x Matra rocket pods with 18 SNEB 68 mm
rockets each, 2x AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, or 2x 1,000 lb bombs or napalm canisters.
The kit and its assembly:
The Iraqi F-86s are a very good whif subject, since the type was actually delivered to the country but little is known, especially about the looks - even though I'd assume that the five real world RIrAF Sabres arrived and were left in bare metal finish.
However, fellow member SPINNERS at whatifmolders.com posted recently a simulated Iraqi F-86, based on the unique three-tone camouflage of South American (e. g. Argentinian, but also Bolivian and Colombian) aircraft – see here for reference: s256.photobucket.com/user/SPINNERS1961/media/WHAT%20IF%20...
This looked quite convincing and generally made a nice whif topic, so, this build is more or less the hardware rendition of this CG design.
The kit is the very simple, yet well-detailed F-86F-30 from Hobby Boss. Only little was changed, e.g. the additional, inner pair of pylons with SNEB missile launchers (the RIrAF operated Hunters, Venoms and Vampires, so these are a plausible part of the arsenal), the fuel outlet and some additions in the minimalistic cockpit, the only true weakness of many of these simple kits – even though the F-86 cockpit is one of the better Hobby Boss offerings.
Biggest challenge was actually to cramp enough lead into the Sabre’s nose – the cockpit tub with an integrated air intake duct take up a lot of place, and the massive kit is very tail-heavy. Placing lead beads under the cockpit floor was not enough, so I had to fill the air intake partly with more lead in order to keep the nose wheel barely down…
Painting and markings:
The more interesting part of the build. I stuck closely to SPINNERS' screenshots and also adapted my paint tones to the CG benchmark, so that the Iraqi machine would look less like an Argentinian F-86.
The interpretation of a screen color is always tricky, and I settled upon mixed tones:
• A rich, reddish sand tone made from Humbrol 72 (Khaki Drill) and a little 118 (US Tan)
• A greenish gray (pure Humbrol 240, actually RLM 02!)
• A dark mix of olive drab and chocolate brown (Humbrol 66 + 10, about 2:1 ratio)
• Camouflage Grey (FS 36622/Humbrol 28) for the undersides
The result looks surprisingly (but not intentionally!) like the USAF SAC scheme, known from the B-52H bombers, probably the RLM 02 looks, in contrast to the other colors, very greenish and less grey than hoped for. During the ensuing shading process, after an overall, light black ink wash, I tried to trim the tone towards a colder, pure grey - but the greenish impression persists!
Anyway, it’s a whif, and if the Iraqi F-86s had been delivered in bare metal and camouflaged domestically, who knows which tones had been used? Certainly no American Federal Standard colors.
The cockpit became Neutral Grey, while the landing gear struts and covers became aluminum and the wells interior green. The air intake interior was painted aluminum, too, in a little deviation from the CG benchmark (which appears to be white).
The national markings come from an 1:72 Begemot MiG-25 sheet, as well as the tactical codes, which were puzzled together from single Arabic digits for the four positions on nose and tail. The stencils come from the OOB sheet and also from the scrap box.
Finally, after some minor soot stains around guns and exhaust, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.
A very relaxed build, since no major conversion or kitbashing was involved. And with an interesting result - the F-86 in Iraqi markings looks strange, yet familiar, and with the obscure real world background this is a very convincing whif.
Continuing my Southern Arizona Adventure 2024 with a stop in Tubac, AZ. This is stage 3 of 9. This is a place I plan on revisiting.
This is the entrance monomument to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. That is a molino leaning against it on the right. A molino is a granite stone used for grinding grain into flour.
ChatGPT says:
Tubac, Arizona, is a charming town rich in history and culture. Founded in the 18th century, it began as a Spanish presidio and later became a hub for artists and artisans. Today, Tubac is known for its vibrant arts scene, featuring galleries, studios, and shops showcasing local artwork and crafts.
The Tubac Presidio State Historic Park offers a glimpse into the area's past, with preserved ruins and exhibits that highlight its significance in Arizona's history. Visitors can explore the beautiful desert landscape, enjoy outdoor activities, and participate in various festivals and events throughout the year.
The town's blend of history, art, and natural beauty makes it a unique destination for those looking to experience the spirit of the Southwest. Whether you're interested in exploring its historical sites or indulging in the local arts, Tubac offers something for everyone.
Haiku thoughts:
Old adobe walls stand,
Artists' dreams in sunlight bloom,
Tubac's heart beats on.
Southern Arizona Adventure 2024
Tối nay Megastar đông khách gớm, đúng là ngày ra mắt phim mới có khác! Nó và Thường Khánh cầm vé, chen chúc trong dòng người đông kịt vào rạp. Cuối cùng hai đứa cũng ngồi được vào cái ghế có số được ghi trên vé. Chờ khoảng 5' thì phim bắt đầu chiếu. Đèn trong rạp tắt hết, phim chán wá, nó định dựa đầu vào bên kia ghế tranh thủ ngủ một giấc. Vừa way wa thì nó phát hiện người ngồi bên trái nó chính là Shin. Nó ré lên:
_Anh Shin!!!
Shin giật mình nhìn wa, anh chàng nở một nụ cười, ánh mắt đầy thú vị:
_Thùy Anh! Em cũng đi coi phim ak?
Cô gái ngồi bên cạnh Shin nhìn nó, hỏi:
_Ai zậy anh?
Shin trả lời:
_Em gái của thằng bạn anh!
Cô gái ngắm nghía nó một hồi rồi phán:
_Xinh wá!- Rồi cô nàng lại way lên xem phim. Nó ghé vào tai Shin, hỏi nhỏ:
_Bạn gái anh đấy ak?
_Không hẳn!
_Là sao?
Shin cười cười, nói thầm vào tai nó:
_Chảnh wá, anh kua xong rồi đá xuống đất, dạy cho cô ả một bài học!
Nó sững sờ trước thú nhận thật lòng của Shin. Shin mà nó wen đào hòa thế ư? Tay Shin đang quàng lên vai cô gái kia mà thật sự thì trong lòng chẳng iu thương cô ta gì...Nó định thần, nói thêm câu:
_ Sợ anh thật!- rồi way đi luôn. Lén lắc đầu le lưỡi, nó nghĩ thầm "Xã hội hiểm ác thật, lòng người thật là khó đóan. Phục anh Shin wóa, diễn pro thật, diễn viên có khác!"
_Ai thế?- Thường Khánh đang chăm chú nhìn nó từ lúc nào.
_Ah..người wen í mà!
_Thật ak?
_Nhìn mặt tui giống người nói dối lắm ak- Nó lấy ngón trỏ chĩa vào mắt mình, tiếp- Coi phim đi!
Thường Khánh tủm tỉm cười, nhìn nó mà không nhìn lên màn hình, nghĩ thầm "Đáng iu wóa!"
-----------------------------------------------------
Còn gần tháng nữa mới kiểm tra một tiết giữa học kì mà mấy bữa nay trường nó đã rục rịch chuẩn bị đề. Nó và một số đứa khác ôn bài túi bụi. Một số đứa thì vẫn nhởn nhơ, trong đó có Thường Khánh. Phải nói anh chàng là một "hiện tượng lạ", anh chàng đã từng khai zới nó là "Từ nhỏ đến lớn tôi ít khi nào phải học bài!" Thế mà năm nào điểm tổng kết vẫn chót vót trên mây. Không đút lót, không cop bài, không chơi tài liệu, phát bài ra thì nửa thời gian là xong. Đã thế lại là con nhà giàu, đẹp trai, thành tích học tập thì khó ai wa nổi (năm nào mà hok nhất trường), mấy nàng hok mê mới lại. Nó là hot girl cặp với tên này đi ra đường cũng được hỉnh mũi thêm một chút trước những ánh mắt trầm trồ ngưỡng mộ nhìn hai đứa. Hôm wa trong rạp chiếu phim cũng zậy Tuy bạn không cao nhưng ai ai cũng phải ngước nhìn!
Tiết Văn. Đang hì hụi chép bài thì....
_Thùy Anh! Ra đây một chút!- Cô Tổng phụ trách bất ngờ đứng trước lớp nó, pả way vào nói với cô Văn- Chị Chi cho em mượn Thùy Anh một chút!
Pà Văn gật đầu. Nó ngơ ngác đứng lên rồi bước ra khỏi lớp, lòng chẳng hỉu mô tê chi cả. Nó đâu biết rằng có một ánh mắt đang nhìn nó tội lỗi....
_Thùy Anh! Cô không ngờ một học sinh gương mẫu như em lại có thể làm chuyện đó!- Pà cô nhìn nó với vẻ mặt thất vọng. Nó đi từ ngạc nhiên này đến ngạc nhiên khác, gượng cười:
_Cô..Em hok hiểu.
Pà cô đặt hai tay lên vai nó:
_Em nói thật với cô đi, cô biết hết rồi!
_Nhưng nói thật chuyện gì ạ?
_Chuyện em gian lận đề kiểm tra môn Lý!- Pà cô nhẹ nhàng nói.
Nhưng những lời nói nhẹ nhàng kia như cái búa đập vào đầu nó. Nó tê người. Gian Lận đề? Mình là ai zậy chứ? Nó không nói ra hơi, giống người lên cơn đau tim:
_Thưa..thưa cô...Sao....Sao lại..-Nó ngừng lại một chút để lấy lại bình tĩnh- Sao lại có chuyện em gian lận đề, chẳng lẽ thành tích học tập của em không chứng minh được điều gì sao?
_Cô cũng không muốn tin, nhưng...nhưng Tuyết Phương nói là kiểm tra túi xách của em là biết ngay...
Nó ngỡ ngàng:
_Tuyết Phương? Chính bạn ấy nói với cô là em gian lận đề?
Pà cô khẽ gật đầu. Nó không muốn tin vào sự thật đó. Năm lớp 7, nó và cô bạn còn là "đôi bạn cùng tiến", phải nói là nhờ nó Tuyết Phương mới có học giỏi như ngày hôm nay..Zậy sao lại...
Nó nói, mắt nhòe đi:
_Chắc có sự lầm lẫn gì đó! Không thể thế được.
Vừa lúc đó thì trống đánh, giải lao. Bà cô ngậm ngùi nói:
_Muốn xem là đúng hay sai, để cô vào kiểm tra túi xách của em!- Nói rồi bả way đí. Nó theo sau.
Pà tổng phụ trách lục túi xách của nó trước con mắt ngạc nhiên, ngu người của mấy đứa trong lớp (trừ một người). Nó gắng cười để tự xoa dịu mình, nói chắc nịch:
_Cô sẽ không tìm thấy gì đâu bởi vì thật sự em...
Nó chưa kịp nói hết câu thì pà cô giơ lên một tờ giấy, được kẹp trong cuốn Địa lí. Nó đọc được dòng chữ in hoa trên đầu. "...ĐỀ KIỂM TRA 1 TIẾT. MÔN: VẬT LÝ.THỜI GIAN: 45 PHÚT..."Còn có con dấu đỏ cuối tờ giấy "ĐỀ CHÍNH THỨC" và chữ kí của thầy tổ trưởng bộ môn Lý. Nó như muốn xỉu, chỉ biết lắc đầu, nước mắt trào ra....Đứng không vững nữa, nhỏ Lam lật đật chạy ra đỡ nó. Nó nói trong màn nước mắt:
_Thưa cô em không....
Lúc này Tuyết Phương đang way đi, cố giấu những giọt nước mắt tội lỗi....Pà cô vừa thương..vừa tức giận nhìn nó, nói:
_Theo cô lên văn phòng!
Nó buớc đ thoe bà cô, nước mắt cứ trào ra, Thường Khánh và Mạnh Khoa chỉ muốn lao ra ôm lấy nó, an ủi nó. Như nó, tất cả tụi bạn đề không tin đó là sự thật. Nhỏ Lam chạy theo sau nó...nước mắt chực chờ tuôn ra theo con bạn
The Saber Junction Community Leader Day is part of JMRCs continued efforts to ensure positive and enduring community relations between the leadership of JMRC, the Hohenfels garrison, and the local German community.
On April 13, 2015, nine Burgermeisters from the surrounding communities and Landrat Geiller of county Neumarkt attended the event. Their itinerary included an overview of Exercise Saber Junction and regular JMRC operations.
This photo from July 2013 shows the continuing progress on the future 86th Street Station of the Second Avenue Subway.
Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.
* Meadowhall
Continuing on now with last Sunday's events which were brought about by the 3rd weekend in which Network Rail had a Line Possession in force in the area around Meadowhall, the 1st two weeks on the Blackburn Valley Line and last Sunday, the main line closed from beyond Grimesthorpe in the west to Holmes Junction in the east, with Meadowhall in the middle of it all. The plan of action was to drive along to Rotherham for the local stopper into Sheffield and grab as many decent shots as practicable, of the lineside along the GCs route through Tinsley East and Woodburn Junction and inti the north end of Sheffield Midland. En-route taking pictures at a handful of pre-selected locations, with the final one after completing the jaunt into Sheffield. The stops for photographs were:- just north of Meadowhall, the new relief road bridge at Blackburn Meadows Way, Bessemer Way, Rotherham Central for the train and then after a half hour in Sheffield, the return service to Rotherham Central and then back via Woodburn Junction. So, first stop, just north of Meadowhall on the Blackburn Valley line and the Colas hauled civil engineers train has deposited a RailVAc unit just outside the station on the Midland Main line towards Sheffield and it then came a short distance up the BVL and parked up where the work had been going on for the last two weekends. This is a Colas Rail, class 60, 60047 and it has just worked into the area, entering the Line Possession limit, in the east, at Holmes Junction and is now awaiting its next call of duty, this in the inbound 6C51 working, Belmont Down Yard to Holmes Junction; later in the day, the return working, Holmes Junction to Belmont Down Yard will see the set head back to Doncaster. The driver looks to be relaxing as there isn't much happening at this end of the business and it transpired the RailVac unit was being deployed along the main line to clear out the lineside drainage channels.
Northern Ireland- 6th August 2013 Mandatory Credit - Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye.
2013 World Police and Fire Games continue across Northern Ireland with various sports taking place across the city.
Soccer finals at the DUB playing fields in South Belfast - Ladies finals. Mexiclo Police take gold.
Continued from last photo.
Gallon sized plastic milk jugs (#2 plastic: High Density Polyethylene - HDPE) become lovely flowers for Mary's Garden fashion ensemble which will be worn on runway by model in November of 2010. The ensemble will be made of recycled plastics, and a found remnant of green astroturf.
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Production photo
One of a kind Trashion fashion by Mary Anne Enriquez
Copyright 2010
Please see my flickr set "Mary's Garden" for complete production and design info for the entire 5 piece ensemble:
www.flickr.com/photos/urbanwoodswalker/sets/7215762450606...
See next photos...
Crews continued Sunday, July 21, 2013, cleaning up the derailed freight train in preparation for restoring Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line to service for the Monday morning rush hour. MTA Photo by Joseph P. Chan.
A poem to accompany this image by Daniel Duffy:
Continuing Dialogue
by Daniel Duffy
Scribblings of the past,
They stare up at us
But none is the wiser
As to its message
Chain upon fragmented chain,
We wonder what exactly
It all means when we realize
We haven’t a clue
This foreign tongue is meaningless
And yet, to someone else
It wasn’t
Go figure
Words will always have meaning
But will be distorted by
The changing times
Continuing the dialogue
In the present is quite the challenge
Let’s hope the meanings are the same,
Or how else will we communicate
Our culture to another?
Questions asked,
Questions answered,
But still more remain
Why must we fritter away
The hours on pointless
Psychobabble?
Only time will tell,
As the cliché goes…
No Matter What
To continue his work, a construction worker secures clamps on a section of metal on the surface of Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 26, 2018. The launch pad has undergone upgrades and modifications to accommodate NASA's Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft for Exploration Mission-1 and subsequent missions. Upgrades include new heat-resistant bricks on the walls of the flame trench and installation of a new flame deflector. All of the upgrades have been managed by Exploration Ground Systems. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Well, 2014 finds me continuing the same activity; documenting colour forms of globular springtails in the genus Sminthurinus.
Towards the end of December 2013, I started seeing darkly-pigmented forms of what looked like Sminthurinus reticulatus. Sminthurinus reticulatus are similar to the reticulata form of Sminthurinus aureus but the reticulate abdominal patterning contains dark pigment.
Here's a selection of Sminthurinus sprintails from today. All show some degree of reticulate patterning but it is very variable and barely noticeable in some. 4 and 5 do show some of the "dark form" characteristics that I've been seeing locally though, with an area of dark pigmentation between the eyes and a "moustache" radiating out underneath with a number of dark "spokes" (compare with 2 and 6).
It's all of little import really, but it keeps me amused!
Canon 5D3 + MP-E 65mm (at 5x) + 1.4x Extender + 36mm extension tube + MT24-EX Flash. Magnification x8. All cropped significantly for the collage.
Work continues on the access road running through the Razorback down to the West Beach at the Big Bar landslide site.
Learn more:
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pacific-smon-pacifique/big-bar-land...
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=636BAFFB10A1492C964B5FE1E90...
Photo: SNC Lavalin, Feb. 13, 2020
The Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility’s Summit supercomputer installation continues with the Mellanox team installing and wiring interconnects. To provide a high rate of I/O throughput, Summit's nodes will be connected in a non-blocking fat-tree using a dual-rail Mellanox EDR InfiniBand interconnect.
Summit will deliver more than five times the computational performance of Titan’s 18,688 nodes, using only approximately 4,600 nodes when it arrives in 2018.
Learn more about Summit: www.olcf.ornl.gov/summit/
Image credit: ORNL
All Saints, Kirtling, Cambridgeshire
Although Edward North's father Roger, a younger son, was settled in London at the time of his death, he had been born in Nottinghamshire where the less enterprising members of his family remained. Roger North made no mention of his three young children in the will which he made on 19 Nov 1509 and which was proved 11 days later. Apart from two small bequests to the church of St. Michael in Quern, he left all his possessions to his wife Christian whom he appointed executrix. His only son Edward was sent to the newly-founded St. Paul's school under William Lily, where his contemporaries and friends included Anthony Denny, William Paget, Thomas Wriothesley and John Leland, who later addressed to North a 38-line Latin poem recalling their school-days together.
Edward North may have continued his studies for a short time at Cambridge before being admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1522; the suggestion that he attended Peterhouse lacks confirmation despite his later benefactions to that college. Until 1530 his name appears regularly in the records of his inn. It was probably at the instance of his brother-in-law, Alderman William Wilkinson, that he obtained employment in a legal capacity with the corporation of London. He may have been the Edward North described as of London, who in 1525 received a pardon from the King for some unknown offenses, and was certainly the gentleman of that name who two years later was admitted to the Mercers' Company by redemption.
While still at Lincoln's Inn North appears to have caught the attention of Sir Brian Tuke, treasurer of the chamber, a man of considerable learning and ability, who was the patron of many promising young men. It may have been such works as a poem he wrote about 1525 on the decay of the realm that first brought him to Tuke's notice. The poem, composed of stanzas of seven and written in English in the manner of Lydgate, condemned both the nobility and the clergy for a moral decline which only the grace of God and the nobility of the King and his Queen could arrest. North's appointment to the clerkship of the Parliaments was in survivorship with Tuke who had previously held the office undivided from 17 Apr 1523. North was the junior partner on whom there should have fallen the work involved while Tuke busied himself with other duties. In a letter of 1 Jun 1539 to Cromwell, Tuke reported an outbreak of measles where he was staying and so excused himself from attendance at Parliament as he had 'no business but what Mr. North can do'.
The career of Edward North closely parallels that of Sir Richard Rich, although without the unsavoury self-serving and willing betrayal of friends and patrons. In 1531 he was appointed clerk of the Parliament and was raised to the rank of serjeant-at-law. By 1536 he was named one of the king's serjeants. In 1541 he resigned as clerk of the Parliament on his appointment of treasurer of the Court of Augmentations, created to handle the dissolution of the monasteries, a court on which Rich also served. In 1541 he was knighted and elected as a knight of the shire of Cambridge to Parliament. In 1545 he was made co-chancellor, with Rich, of the Court of Augmentations and became sole chancellor on Rich's resignation. The following year he became a member of the Privy Council and received large grants of estates from the crown.
The 9th Lord la Warr asked Cromwell on 11 Jan 1532 to send his leave of absence from Parliament straight to North; in the following year Sir Thomas Audley sent to North to obtain the Act of Annates so that he could make the ratification desired by the King; in 1534 copies of the protest against the bill of farms were supplied by him on demand and in 1536 Cromwell obtained from him copies of the Acts concerning Wimbledon, Carnaby's lands and uses. Such recurrent applications to North, far from demonstrating his mastery of the business, may well point in a different direction. It appears that during North's clerkship (and beyond) no Acts of Parliament were enrolled in Chancery, a circumstance which, while it may be linked with changes in procedure, is also suggestive of neglect of duty.
North's marriage to the widow of two merchants not only gave him financial security but permitted him the opportunity to speculate in the land market. On 1 Jan 1533 he bought the manor of Kirtling, Cambridgeshire, which was to become his principal seat and the nucleus of his estates in East Anglia and the Fenlands. The title to Kirtling proved doubtful and North temporarily lost possession as the result of a lawsuit in 1534. Receiving the manor back from the King, North made certain of his ownership by an Act (28 Hen. VIII, c.40) passed during the Parliament of 1536 and shortly afterwards he began a splendid reconstruction of the house. About the same time the King acquired the manor of Edmonton, Middlesex, from North and William Browne, and it was probably in connexion with this sale that North agreed to forbear payment by the King till later. Grants in recognition of his services helped to consolidate North's gradually increasing properties.
His work as clerk of the Parliaments brought North into close contact with Cromwell, for whom he was making confidential reports by 1535. This relationship was probably decisive in North's appointment to the court of augmentations in 1540. It was to be over three years before North was required to render an account as treasurer of that department: although this showed a balance due from him of almost £25,000, after his elevation to the joint chancellorship he paid over little more than £22,000 to his successor. When the King was informed of this discrepancy, he summoned North from his bed in the Charterhouse early one morning to defend his conduct, this North was able to do although at the price of an arrangement settling the matter by an exchange of lands favourable to the King. Although North had used his position to line his pocket and continued to do so throughout his connexion with the court, his financial reputation was unimpaired and he was frequently commissioned to audit accounts under Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary. Secure in Henry VIII's esteem, North was confirmed in his office as chancellor on the eve of the King's death, was appointed an executor of his will (as was Rich) and was bequeathed £300.
In 1547 Henry VIII forced the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, to exchange a group of Manors including Headstone for other land. Legally the King was now Lord of Headstone Manor but within days the whole group of Manors were sold to Edward North for £7,337.6s.8d.
The beginning of the new reign saw North made a Privy Councillor and reappointed to the chancellorship but he was soon to be antagonized by the Protector Somerset who in Aug 1548 connived at his being eased out of his office in favour of Richard Sackville. This act was to cost the Protector dear, for in the coup d'état against him a year later North was one of the first to join the dissident Councillors in London and to sign the letter listing the Protector's offences.
North had been returned as one of the knights of the shire for Cambridgeshire to the Parliament of 1542, at the opening of which he was probably knighted along with a number of other royal officials, he may have sat in the Parliament of 1545 for which the return does not survive and he did so in that of 1547. His name appears in the Act of 1543 (34 and 35 Hen. VIII, 24) settling the payment of Cambridgeshire knights of the shire. Nothing further is known of his activities in the House until the second session of the Parliament of 1547, when on 12 Feb 1549 he was one of those appointed to hear and determine, if they could, the bill against Nicholas Hare. During the third session, the Acts for a general pardon, for a churchyard in West Drayton, for the restitution of William Hussey and for the fine and ransom of the Duke of Somerset, were signed by North, among others, and in the fourth, the original bill fixing the time for the sale of wool was committed to him and Sir Martin Bowes after its third reading on 18 Mar 1552.
As a partisan of the Duke of Northumberland, North was recommended by the Privy Council to the sheriff and freeholders of Cambridgeshire for election to the Parliament of Mar 1553 and he was duly returned with the Council's other nominee, James Dyer. North witnessed the device to alter the succession, Edward VI's will and the letter of 9 Jul 1553 in support of Lady Jane. There may, however, have been a measure of disagreement between North and Northumberland as the Charterhouse, which North had held since 1545 and which was apparently still his at the beginning of 1553, escheated to the crown on the duke's attainder later that year.
As soon as it became clear that there was no support for Lady Jane, North joined the exodus from London of Privy Councillors to submit to Mary, who was a little distrustful of a man who had been so sympathetic towards Northumberland. His appointment as a Privy Councillor was not renewed although he was raised to the baronage as Lord North of Kirtling, the Charterhouse was restored to him and he continued to serve on important commissions, including the one for heresy in 1557 and those connected with monetary reform. In 1554 he was one of the escort for Felipe of Spain from Southampton to Winchester for his marriage in July and he bore the sword before Felipe at the reception of Cardinal Pole at Westminster in Nov. Foxe records the story, without giving it credence, of a woman living near Aldersgate in 1555 who claimed to have been approached by North to surrender her recently delivered baby to him at the time when the termination of the Queen's (false) pregnancy was expected.
Immediately after Elizabeth's accession, she visited North at the Charterhouse between 23 and 29 Nov 1558. This stay did not betoken the new Queen's confidence in him nor did it lead to North's taking a more important role in the country's affairs. Pardoned for general offences, he was employed to hear claims to do service at the coronation and to discover the extent of alienation of crown lands during the previous reigns. His opposition to several government-backed measures, including the Act of Uniformity, in the Parliament of 1559 must have destroyed any chance that he had of appointment. Elizabeth paid a second visit to the Charterhouse between 10 and 13 Jul 1561. Later in 1564 the Bishop of Ely reported that in religion North was 'quite comformable'. S hortly afterwards North retired from public affairs.
North made his will on 20 Mar 1563 asking to be buried at Kirtling beside the body of his first wife. He left his second wife Margaret jewels, £500 and leases in Chertsey, London and Southwark, and provided for his children and grandchildren. His executors were to be Sir William Cordell and Sir James Dyer and his supervisors Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, Sir Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Sir William Petre. A third of his property in Cambridge and Huntingdonshire, Middlesex and Suffolk he bequeathed to the Queen; of the remainder nearly all was left to his son Sir Roger. By a codicil of 30 Dec 1564 he ordered the Charterhouse to be sold to pay for his funeral expenses and Roger's debts. He died the following day at the Charterhouse and was buried at Kirtling early in the New Year.
Throughout the week of March 8-12, 2010, U.S. based NGO Samaritan’s Purse continued its distribution of relief/recovery goods to Samoan communities affected by the September 2009 Tsunami.
The Samaritan’s Purse Samoa Tsunami Project is part of on-going U.S. Government assistance. Samaritan’s Purse were awarded a USD $500,000 (WST $1.259 million) grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to distribute tsunami relief/recovery non-food items to affected communities in the Independent State of Samoa. Samaritan’s Purse has partnered with local NGO and church based groups such as the Apia Protestant Church, Rhema Bible School and other volunteer groups in the country. The organization also coordinated efforts with the Disaster Management Office (DMO) and Samoa Red Cross Society to access information identifying the total number and names of families whose homes and possessions were affected directly by the September tsunami.
After the initial USAID assessment, members of Samaritans Purse flew into Samoa in early October 2009 to plan this project. As soon as DMO and Red Cross identified affected families, the first set of goods (hygiene kits and other items of immediate need) were distributed in early November—this was followed by two additional rounds with the second and third distribution including other items of use at that time, such as mats, linens, tools, wheelbarrows, lanterns, etc.; the March 8-12 goods distribution will be the final distribution to affected families, and came because the organization was able to stretch the original dollars further than expected.
Packages including mosquito nets, kerosene burners and kerosene supply, axes, spades, shovels, picks, machetes, kerosene lanterns, plates and cups, buckets, nails, hammers and mats, among other items were distributed directly to household members. Most of the goods distributed were purchased locally from hardware and supermarkets in Samoa.
For the current distribution of goods, Samaritans Purse identified 300 families in 26 villages including Aleipata (Utufa’alalafa, Saleaumua, Mtiatele, lotopue, Malaela, Satitia, Ulutogia, Vailoa, Lalomanu, Saleapaga, Lepa, Lotofaga) to Falealili (Matatufu, Sapoe, Utulaelae, Salani, Salesatele, Sapunaoa, Satalo, Tafatafa) Siumu area (Siumu I Sisifo, Tafitoala, Sataia, Saanapu) Manono Island and south west Upolu (Manono Uta, Samatau, Siufaga, Matafaa, Lepuiai, Faleu, Apai) and Savaii (Satupaitea—Pitonuu and Mosula) to receive assistance.
U.S. Embassy Apia Chargé Yeager stated that the benefit of the USAID grant through the work of Samaritans Purse is the United States Government’s continued commitment to provide relief to victims of the disaster that affected Samoa. The donations made by the U.S. Government to the Government of the Independent State of Samoa, to local NGOs and to Samaritan’s Purse for work in Samoa, as well as the arrival of tons of goods sent by caring Americans, and organized by the Samoan communities in the U.S. over the past 6 months are all a reflection of the humanitarian sprit and concern for the people of Samoa from the people of the United States.
“Our work in Samoa has been rewarding, from volunteers, local business to the families, everyone has been great and grateful,” said Paul Murphy of Samaritans Purse. “The helpfulness of the people has ensured the success of our job, we are having fun--being the Santa Clauses giving out gifts and seeing the smiles on people’s faces”. Samaritan’s Purse is an American NGO formed by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of famed religious figure Rev. Billy Graham.
Rev. Nuuausala Siaosi of the Apia Protestant Church has been a key member in the distribution, serving as the project’s main liaison and protocol advisor. Rev. Siaosi has been with the project and at every site from the beginning along with youth from his congregation who have all tirelessly volunteered their time. Rev Siaosi states “it is a privilege to distribute goods with Samaritan’s Purse and it’s been a privilege to be part of the countrywide help for affected tsunami families. God bless the American people for these gifts.”
Taofi Tupufia of Manono Uta was grateful when her family was given household supplies , she said “God bless the good people of America, we will not forget this kindness”. This was further echoed by Lavea Talaia of Samatau who thanked the American people for the gifts, “which will help us in the rebuilding of homes, families and communities.”
Samaritan’s Purse’s work in Samoa will wind down towards the end of this month after the distribution of 362 air horns to villages as part of a national tsunami warning system. Purchased through additional USAID funds the project will be jointly organized and distributed with help from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Disaster Management Office.
---United States Embassy Apia, Samoa--- samoa.usembassy.gov
Continuing construction work on what was the Westralia Swamp. Note that they've torn the backs off the Royal Insurance (right) and WA Trustee (left) Buildings to integrate them into the new structure.
I'm back at Leslie Anne's again for another wonderful dinner. As usual we begin with cheese and beer and then a mixed green salad. I haven't worn my pink cocktail dress in a while. It is too fancy for wearing to the movies, and there just aren't enough parties for a dress like this. Depending on the light, it can look pink or purple and has lots of glittery things imbedded in the cloth.
A talented student showcases her artistic ability in Creative Clay Creations as she sculpts an elephant.
2012 Kids’ College, offered through JCC's Center for Continuing Education.
While President Magsaysay continued using the Executive Office for official meetings, he preferred a more informal style, dropping the use of the Council of State Room for cabinet meetings in favor of unstructured conferences in the Family Dining Room.
(Photo and text from Malacañan Palace: The Official Illustrated History)
Hors d'oeuvre Perile’
All in all it had been the most charming of social occasions. He congratulated himself as he watched the gorgeous young thing in the perfectly lovely green French cut satin dress swish her way up the cobblestone path, heading back to the large manor house where the party was still in full swing. He stood up from the bench, seat still warm from where she had been sitting next to him, and continued to watch as he smiled in pleasant recollection of the evening so far…..
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Préalable
He had purposefully arrived late, giving his fellow guests plenty of time to enjoy their cocktails, wine and champagne. He was delighted to see that the group had indeed unknowingly followed his plan by freely imbibing! The great hall was positively buzzing with a score of overly happy couples chatting away. In the ballroom, half as many were gaily dancing, presenting a delightful montage of crisp black tuxes and colourfully dyed, rustling gowns and long fluttering dresses. And everywhere was the sparkling of jewels, some extravagantly large, and many expensively small, flickering and sparkling merrily from various points of interest from the rather fetching figures of the many pretty females who wore them.
He looked around, pulling back his tux jackets sleeves so his wrists were free, unencumbered for when the time came to put his hands to work. It happily did not take long for that to happen.
He soon spied a group of 2 males and 3 ladies chatting merrily by the huge oak fireplace. The large fire It contained, added an entertaining crackling scene as he approached. A passing waiter held a tray of drinks in his hand, and he had snatched one off, carrying it over to the group. He stood on the fringe, listening in for a minute to acquire the lay of the land. He soon joined in, telling a joke along the lines of their topic of conversation. He made his French accent even thicker, knowing how the English Ladies seemed to swoon when he employed it. He was soon one of the group, a waiting wolf amongst the curelessly bleating, well-dressed sheep. The waiter came around again, and he had set his glass ( untouched) on an oak coffee table, and helped pass them around. As he handed one of the ladies her drink, he had tripped a little, placing his hand upon the wrist she held at her bosom to steady himself, looking her in the eyes as she took the offered drink in her other hand, concerned that he had hurt himself. He apologised profusely at his clumsiness, then stepped back as she giggling accepted. He retrieved his glass and offered a toast. As they all raised their glasses and drank, he took his leave and scurried off. He looked back, the group was still chatting away happily, and the lady he had handed a glass of champagne to, was not yet noticing that her amazingly bright emerald and pearl bracelet had vanished from her gloved wrist.
He meandered over to the Ballroom, stopping to watch the few couples lingering as they awaited the next dance. The Orchestra was tuning up, preparing for a cotillion, something he fancied, a great dance for someone of his unique abilities to make a few “acquisitions”. As the music began he watched with interest the 60 or so guests that began the dance. In the vibrantly swirling mass he managed to pick out quite a few enchanting baubles worn by the gaily bedecked females. He bided his time, and when an opening presented itself, he inserted himself and joined in with the dancers as they moved in the tempo of the spirited music switching partners frequently. In a fast few minutes of the music, as he found himself partnered with 20 or so pretty females, some of them, by design, more than once.
It was from this select few that he managed to part from their persons a total of: 4 gemmed bracelets, half as many cocktail rings, and a dazzling ruby pendent and its chain of sparkling diamond chips! The dance ended all too soon, in his opinion, for the pickings had been altogether too easy, and there were more than a few with pretty jewels he would have liked to have held in his arms. As the boke off, he accepted an even dozen feminine hands gratefully thanking him for the dance( lifting a 3rd ring in the process!)
He then left the ballroom, walking backwards as he watched over the dissembling guests for any signs of discontent. It all appeared normal with them, no one as of yet realizing that some of them had been “pickpocketed.” He stopped and retrieved his drink from a table, still watching the ballroom, scanning the exits in case he needed to make a quick retreat.
When he turned back around he almost collided with an older lady with her long hair piled up and held up by a glittering tiara, who had been standing behind him. Her still quite perky figure was fetchingly clad in a long slithering dress of deep purple silk, with a brite glossy sash of deeper purple satin wrapped around her waist and tied in the back with a smart bow held by a rhinestone clip.
On the cuff, he asked her if she was free to dance. She delightfully was, and accepting his offer, held out her gloved hand. Sitting down his glass with a flourish, he took that hand with its well ringed fingers, into his and led her off. She elegantly picked up her dress with her other hand, and as she did he had a few seconds to admire and appraise the ladies dazzling “affichage de bijoux”. The new dance was a waltze, something he excelled at. And she allowed him to lead her, dancing about with the other couples, as he gracefully twirled her around. He would have preferred a tango, for her necklace, a collar of diamonds in a lace pattern, was quite valuable. But he made do with the waltz, managing to lift her equally dazzling brooch from the front of the wide shiny purple satin sash tied around her waist. The music ended, and he kissed her hand as she curtsied, giving him the opportunity to slip a glittering cocktail ring off from one of her long fingers. He then led her off the floor, offering to go get her a drink (with the intention of not coming back) but she had other plans….
Now, as they had danced, he had half listened to her prattle on about her niece, a lonesome soul who had recently had had her engagement broken off, for his attention focused mostly on the task of acquiring his pretty partners jewels! So instead of being able to make his escape by going off for drinks, he found his arm taken by the lady in purple silk and led him off to an area set aside as a sitting lounge for the ladies (the men’s smoking chamber being upstairs). It was there that they came upon a small, lithely shaped creature with loose sheets of long ginger coloured hair falling along her shoulders and back. She was sitting by herself, drinking a cocktail, her third by the number of empty glasses sitting upon the table at her arm. She was encased in a long slinking pretty French gown of green satin that fell quite nicely along her well-endowed figure, before pooling around at the feet of her matching satin high heels.
Her Auntie introduced them, and the niece offered her hand in cheerful greeting. She didn’t seem appear that she was in despair over her broken engagement atoll, he thought as he took her gloved hand, holding down her fingers as he curtly bowed and kissed the hands glossy gloved back side. He looked down upon the niece, she was wearing a choker of diamonds around her throat, and long dangling waterfall earrings cascading down from her ears. A long diamond pin was attached to the v in the “Décolletage” of her gown. Her gloved hands were free of rings and bracelets. But still, all in all, a quite vexing package indeed!
The Aunt, meanwhile, was arranging for them to dance. The Niece did seemed coyly reluctant at first, like she was thinking of a way out of it. But when the orchestra started to tune up for the next dance, a obviously a welcomed foxtrot, He poured on the charm, and broke through her resistance. And he gallantly gave her his hand and lifted her from her seat, to the squealing delight of the lady’s aunt in the deep purple silk dress. He nodded to the Auntie as he led her niece off, his eyes traveling back to his fetching partner’s throat. The diamond choker that encircled it would be a welcomed addition to this evening’s cueillette’!
She was a brilliant dancer, surprisingly spirited and nimbly quick. Thus he was unable to find an opening to acquire the lass’s sparkling trinket that adorned her throat. So he waited for his opportunity, figuring the next dance should be a slow one. He was right on the money and invited her join him in the slow dance he had anticipated. She most willing went into his arms, giving herself up to him 100 percent. At one point she looked up into his eyes, a look that told him she was falling to his charms. He cupped his hands to her face, lifting her head so it tilted up at him, and as she sighed deeply, he stroked his fingers through her hair, while slickly, and without shame, relieving her ears of their stunningly dangling diamond earrings in the process.
He was immensely pleased with himself upon his daring acquisition, and as the music faded off, he thought that that would be the end of things, and he prepare to take his immediate leave of the premises. But she apparently had garnered other thoughts, asking him if he wished to take a stroll with her outside in the extended gardens that surrounded the sprawling old estate proper. He looked down sweetly upon her, his eyes soaking in her gorgeously sparkling necklace which still was a vex for him, and told her sweetly he would like nothing more. As he followed her wonderfully swishing figure towards the double doors leading to a cement patio, he liberated a bottle of wine and two glasses from a servant’s cart. He followed her out onto the wide patio and down the sweeping steps that led into the hedged, proper English gardens below.
She led him to an old stone bench in a quite secluded corner, and alcove almost boxed in by a thick hedgerow. He couldn’t have picked a better spot himself, and he smiled, for fortune appeared to be with him that evening, “fortune semblait être avec lui ce soir-là” ! She motioned him to sit next to her, and he smiled, opening the wine, and pouring it. Handing her a glass he slipped in next to her. He prepared to falsely lead the damsel into believing he was falling under her spell, and as she did, taking the opportunity to relive this little one of her remaining jewels!
She snuggled up against him, her quite warm figure a pleasure to experience. She started to chatter, almost nervously, definitely coyly, as he noticed the pulsating rhythm of her heart beating into his side, she was certainly excited about something. She rather impishly told him a rather delightful little tale about an antique postcard that her aunt had in the library. A youth was sitting on a bench next to a pretty girl, a book on his with the title” The Jungle Book”. He was asking the damsel if she liked Kipling? She was looking up at him mischievously, why “I don’t know, you naughty boy, I’ve never kippled!”
He chuckled at this, pulling out a handkerchief form his pocket to wipe some imagined thing off her dress. She looked down at the spot( nothing had been there) and he used the distraction to finish slipping off the necklace whose clasp he had flicked open as she had told the punch line of her story.
Placing The necklace into a vest pocket, where it rested with the some of the other jewels he had purloined earlier that evening, including this one’s earrings. He now focused on her long glittery diamond pin.
He stood and refilled their glass’s for a third time( he had been spilling most of his out in a rose bush behind the bench as they had sat). He regained his seat, placing an arm around her, and she laid her hand upon his chest, burrowing in. She was becoming quite intoxicated and he knew the time was as ripe as it was becoming short. He laid his other hand on her lap, and she shivered as he murmured some French sayings in her ear,(including his favourite ” La nuit tous les chats sont gris.”)
He took advantage of the opening and feeling upwards cupped the pin as it hung down, feeling its clasp with his long nimble fingers, he waited. At that point she looked up into his eyes and slipped her hand around his waist. It was while she did this that he popped open the clasp, and slipped off the diamonded pin from the unwary girls rather scintillating gown.
He held onto the pin behind her back as they hugged. He could still feel the deliciousness of her heart beating rapidly, and knew his was also, but not for the reason she was thinking. He now had all her jewels, and as his eyes were focused on her glittering pin that he was admiring in his hand that held it above her back, , his mind was on escape.
Finally the wine had its desired effect upon the pretty, naively innocent, niece. With a wistful sigh, she rose, straightening her gown as she elegantly made her apologies, she needed to visit the ladies parlour to powder her nose. She sheepishly asked if he would wait. He rose an told her he would wait until the end of time( or for as long as he was in her sight). She hugged him, throwing her entire squirming being behind it.
They parted and she tuned and pertly swished off, her gown delightfully moving along her figure, brightly iridescent, as she swayed her way back down the moonlit path.
He rubbed a finger along his thin moustache as he enjoyed the show she was putting on. He had entirely beguiled that one he mused. It wasn’t until she gained the porch stair way that he moved. He turned away, and made his way down the path heading off out of the gardens. Gloating over how he had managed to pluck her ripe figure of all its valuable ornaments.. His hand automatically went into his vest pocket to finger his haul. Suddenly his whole demander changed, the pocket was empty! He quickly felt along his body, all of his pockets here empty. Pipe, Pouch, silver lighter, billfold and gold pocket watch, even the ruby pin from his knotted cravat, as well as all of the ladies jewels he had been removing with such panache all evening, all were gone, all without him ever feeling a thing!
He relieved he had been picked clean, obviously by the young niece! and turning he looked back spying that said niece standing at the top of the cement patio’s stairway watching him, catching his eye, she raised a finger, scolding him like one would an errant child, before turning with a purposeful, flaunting with a swirling of her green satin gown, and disappearing inside with a an air of obviously self-pleasure. Who was this child, with fingers even more nimble than the great Arsene’ Lupin?, he thought cockily.
He raised an imaginary glass to the closing door as the last of her fluttering gown slipped through it. Checkmate on me, my lady, he thought, Smiling whimsically as he turned away and stole away into the night. But still, he could not help but wonder, was she going keep those jewels to all to herself and let him take the blame?
He turned a corner of a hedge path and stopped immediately. Staring straight ahead, in his astonishment, he thought drolly to himself, if he had to start a new meal, might as well begin with Hors d'oeuvre. For there, at the end of the path, stooping over as she smelled a rose from a bush located by an exit, was a jewelled vision of pure loveliness.
Her hair was elegantly held back by a gloved hand with a wrist and fingers sparkling with a frenzy of coloures, said moon having had just now peeked from the cloud where it had been hiding.
He walked up to her, softly on the pads of his feet. She wasn’t to know that there was now someone else on the path behind her until his hands were in position to strike….
******************
Perile watched as the nice Frenchman walked off. He had ben ever so charming, couldn’t apologize enough for starling her as he had. He had taken her hand, kissing it as he had asked her name. He than gave him hers, thanking her for the honour that was his to give it. Arsene he announced with a flourish as he bowed to her. She has shivered, how so she loved the romantic sounding French language.
He soon turned a corner and was lost out of site. Perile stood there dazed for a full 3 minutes, her mind wondering. Her satin gloved hand which she had been holding upon her ample bosom, now moved up to her throat to take care of an itch. Suddenly she froze, finding her neck bare, she looked down, her diamond and ruby pendeant was no longer dangling down the glossy front of her eal gown. She bent under the rose bush to look for it, pulling up on the lower branches, as she did, she saw with a gasp that her large gemmed cocktail ring was also gone from her index finger. It was not until sometime later that she membered it was the vey hand and finger the charming Frenchman had ever so elegantly kissed!
U.S. Army Sgt. Derec Pierson walking through local Afghan nationals wheat field on a presence patrol with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company Engineers, 1/172 Cavalry. He is a member of the 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) from Fort Meade, Maryland, Bagh Alam Village, Parwan province, Afghanistan, April 28. (U.S. Army photo by Sean McKenna)
Joint Combat Camera Afghanistan
Courtesy Photo
Date: 04.28.2010
Location: Bagram, AF
Related Photos: dvidshub.net/r/kbd6r8