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Thanks to Sue for the postcard from 1924.

Current state of my fixed knives and axes collection.

The current version of my selfMOC. Uses a styling I've wanted to try for a long time, but I don't think it fits this character in particular.

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Currently in EXHIBITION in the group "Je suis venu vous dire / I came to tell"

 

Actuellement en EXPOSITION dans le groupe "Je suis venu vous dire / I came to tell"

  

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Best View On Black

  

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© Anne d'Huart

  

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Hereford Cathedral, in Hereford Herefordshire. The current Hereford Cathedral dates from 1079 and is a Grade I listed building. Its most famous treasure is Mappa Mundi, a mediaeval map of the world dating from the 13th century.

 

The cathedral is dedicated to two patron saints, namely Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Ethelbert the King. The latter was beheaded by Offa, King of Mercia in the year 792. Offa had consented to give his daughter to Ethelbert in marriage: why he changed his mind and deprived him of his head historians do not know, although tradition is at no loss to supply him with an adequate motive. The execution, or murder, is said to have taken place at Sutton, four miles (6 km) from Hereford, with Ethelbert's body brought to the site of the modern cathedral by 'a pious monk'. At Ethelbert's tomb miracles were said to have occurred, and in the next century (about 830) Milfrid, a Mercian nobleman, was so moved by the tales of these marvels as to rebuild in stone the little church which stood there, and to dedicate it to the sainted king.

 

Before this, Hereford had become the seat of a bishopric. It is said to have been the centre of a diocese as early as the 6th century. In the 7th century the cathedral was refounded by Putta, who settled here when driven from Rochester by Æthelred of Mercia. The cathedral of stone, which Milfrid raised, stood for some 200 years, and then, in the reign of Edward the Confessor, it was altered. The new church had only a short life, for it was plundered and burnt in 1056 by a combined force of Welsh and Irish under Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, the Welsh prince; it was not, however, destroyed until its custodians had offered vigorous resistance, in which seven of the canons were killed.

 

Hereford Cathedral remained in a state of ruin until Robert of Lorraine was consecrated to the see (made Bishop) in 1079 and undertook its reconstruction. His work was carried on, or, more probably, redone, by Bishop Reynelm, who was next but one in the succession, and reorganised the college of secular canons attached to the cathedral. Reynelm died in 1115, and it was only under his third successor, Robert de Betun, who was Bishop from 1131 to 1148, that the church was brought to completion.

 

Of this Norman church, little has survived but the choir up to the spring of the clerestory, the south transept, the arch between the north transept and the choir aisle, and the nave arcade. Scarcely 50 years after its completion William de Vere, who occupied the see from 1186 to 1199, altered the east end by constructing a retro-choir or processional path and a Lady Chapel; the latter was rebuilt not long afterwards—between the years 1226 and 1246, during the Early English style—with a crypt beneath. Around the middle of the century the clerestory, and probably the vaulting of the choir, were rebuilt, having been damaged by the settling of the central tower. Under Bishop Aquablanca (1240–68), one of Henry III's foreign favourites, the rebuilding of the north transept was begun, being completed later in the same century by Bishop Swinfield, who also built the aisles of the nave and eastern transept.

 

I've created a new group that your all welcome to join:

Jumpers for goalposts : www.flickr.com/groups/goalposts/

 

Secondly : Oh god Robin Van Persie has a myspace blog

www.myspace.com/robinvpersie

Robin van Persie's Blurbs

About me:

"To the people: I have joined the MySpace club. Why, you wonder? For the sole purpose of getting to "know" the people who already "know" me. (Born August 6, 1983 in Rotterdam) I am a Dutch footballer currently playing at English FA Premier League team Arsenal as a striker. I can play as a striker (as I normally do for Arsenal) or on either wing, as I primarily do for the Netherlands. I was an impertuous child from a bohemian family (my mother is a teacher) and my father an artist. My father brought me up as a single parent. I grew up in a rough neighbourhood of Rotterdam alongside it's large immigrant population. I had a series of behavioural problems at school. I`m also a converted Muslim and married to Bouchra, a Dutch-Moroccan."

  

Edit : wow October 2009, it's now Aug 2014. no MySpace, No VP at Arsenal and over 10,000 views!

The garage here still exists and is currently marked on Google Maps as an Esso site despite Streetview showing it as Texaco as recently as September 2021. Back further in time it was a BP up to around 2013 or so. Back in the late 1980's as we see here it was a Shell site with an open forecourt, clearly a bigger canopy was added at some point. The buildings remain more or less exactly as they were although a car wash was added to the left end of the building as we view here. In September 2015 there was a burglary here and at that point it was a Texaco site www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/firefight...

www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.6375688,-1.729368,3a,75y,180.87...

fort point - presidio, san francisco, california

Monday (Memorial Day) evening. D&H Canal tow path trail, Minisink Ford, NY

Loughborough Central Station the current end of the line of the heritage Old Great Central Railway (GCR). In Loughborough, Leicestershire.

 

The origins of the old GCR may be traced back to the earliest days of railways in and around Manchester. What was to become identifiable as the Great Central Railway was the amalgamation in 1847 of the Sheffield, Ashton under Lyme & Manchester, the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Junction, the Great Grimsby & Sheffield Junction Railways, and the Grimsby Dock Company. The principal reason for existence was the movement of coal and other goods across the harsh Pennine moorland.

 

Little change in the system took place until the appointment, in 1854, of Edward Watkin as General Manager.

 

A bill was put before Parliament in 1891 for the line from Annesley through Nottingham, where the great Nottingham Victoria station was built with the Great Northern Railway, Leicester, Rugby and to an end on junction with the Metropolitan at Quainton Road. Construction of the line started in 1894 and was opened to coal traffic on 25th July 1898 and to passengers a year later.

 

The nationalisation of the railways in 1948 led to the Great Central metals becoming part of the Eastern Region of British Railways. In 1958 the ex-Great Central was re-allocated to the Midland Region of British Railways and so were sown the seeds of its decline as a main line to London.

 

Country stations such as those at Belgrave & Birstall, Rothley and Quorn & Woodhouse were closed in 1963. In 1966 the line closed as a though route to London and the line was severed just south of Rugby while the proud station at Nottingham Victoria was demolished. Until 1969, when the line was finally closed, a DMU service ran from Rugby to Nottingham Arkwright Street.

 

A group of enthusiasts was determined to keep the line alive for the running of main line engines. The Main Line Preservation Group was formed to begin the mammoth task of preservation and restoration. Fund raising was always a problem so in 1971 the Main Line Steam Trust was formed and registered as a charity to raise funds through covenants.

 

Since then, the volunteers and staff have re-instated a double track section from Loughborough Central to Rothley and opened a single track to Leicester North, just south of the old Belgrave & Birstall station (and built a new station there) and have restored stations, signals and signal boxes, carriages, wagons and steam and diesel locomotives.

 

Information Source

www.gcrailway.co.uk/brief-history/

 

Copyright © Stewart Lamb Cromar 2021 CC BY-NC-SA

 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

come out and join us while we host for DJ DR LOVE

CLASSIC ROCK GREATEST HITS AND SPLODER WITH DJ DR LOVE!

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━═★ WHO DJ dr love

━═★ HOST jessie love and kilakay

━═★ WHEN 8-9 PM slt

━═★ WHAT CLASSIC ROCK -

━═★ WHERE ALOHA DANCE CLUB

━═★ BOATRIDE: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bad%20Boys/73/26/21

◌──────❀*̥˚──────◌──────❀*̥˚──────◌

 

Visit this location at ALOHA DANCE CLUB (NOW HIRING) in Second Life

Boo is currently being treated for a thyroid condition at the rescue centre, so she's not ready for rehoming yet. She's extremely affectionate and loves to give hugs. She sits with her tongue out like this about 90% of the time. Very cute. :)

The current building is the third capitol building for the State of Connecticut since the American Revolution. The design is in the Eastlake style, with French and Gothic Revival styled elements.

 

I have a collection of Capitol Building images - who knows whether I'll ever get to see them all; but if I'm passing through a state and the capital city isn't too far away, I usually take a detour for a few pictures.

 

This vegan pepperoni & cheese pizza from Blackbird is currently Rowan's favourite! The store we get it from, Orii, sells out of it pretty quickly though, so it can be hard to get a hold of!

 

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Why veganism:

www.vegankit.com/why

Another one of the mall's fountains located between JCPenney, Bealls, and Dillard's.

 

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The Port Charlotte Town Center originally opened in August 1989, as the first (and currently only) major enclosed shopping mall in Charlotte County. Built and opened by the DeBartolo Corporation, the mall opened with Sears, JCPenney, and Belk-Lindsey as original anchors, with space available for three more. Maas Brothers was originally planned to open as a fourth anchor in 1990, but these plans later fell through, due to the financial troubles that parent company Federated was going through at the time.

Dillard's and Montgomery Ward were added as fourth and fifth anchors in 1992. Around the same time, Belk-Lindsey closed at the mall and was replaced by Burdines in 1994. A 16-screen Regal Cinemas multiplex was added on to the mall in 1999 as its final newly-built anchor, replacing an older 8-screen cinema at the corner of US-41 and Cochran Boulevard (now occupied by a post office and Edgewater Church). Montgomery Ward closed in 2000-01 with the bankruptcy of the chain, and was replaced by Bealls in 2002. Burdines was renamed to Burdines-Macy’s in 2003, before becoming Macy’s in 2005.

 

Junior anchors of the mall include Old Navy (opened in 1999) and DSW Shoe Warehouse.

Outside Birmingham New Street Railway Station which is currently undergoing a £550m redevelopment scheme named Gateway Plus. Birmingham, West Midlands.

 

Birmingham New Street is the largest and busiest of the three main railway stations serving Birmingham, England. It is in the city centre and is a central hub of the British railway system. It is a major destination for Virgin Trains services from London Euston, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley via the West Coast Main Line, and the national hub of the CrossCountry network – the most extensive in Britain, with long-distance trains serving destinations from Aberdeen to Penzance. It is also a major hub for local and suburban services within the West Midlands, including those on the Cross City Line between Lichfield Trent Valley and Redditch and the Chase Line to Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley.

 

New Street is the eighth busiest railway station in the UK and the busiest outside London, with 32 million passenger entries and exits between April 2012 and March 2013. It is also the busiest interchange station outside London, with over 5.1 million passengers changing trains at the station annually.

 

The original New Street station was built in the Victorian era and had, when built, the largest single-span arched roof in the world. In the 1960s, the station was completely rebuilt. An enclosed station, with buildings over most of its span and passenger numbers more than twice those it was designed for, the replacement was not popular with its users, having a customer satisfaction rate of only 52% - the joint lowest of any Network Rail major station.

 

A £550m redevelopment of the station named Gateway Plus is currently under way. The redevelopment will include a new concourse, a new exterior facade, and a new entrance on Stephenson Street, and is expected be completed in September 2015. New Street will also become the terminus of the city-centre extension of the Midland Metro, with a new tram stop on Stephenson Street, also expected be finished by 2015.

 

Around 80% of train services to Birmingham go through New Street. The other major city-centre stations in Birmingham are Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill. On the outskirts, closer to Solihull, is Birmingham International, which serves Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre.

 

I was heading home late, after giving a friend a ride out of town to her home. An as I drove down this country road I glanced off into distance. There out of nowhere was these towers of Electricity, carrying power from City to city, and threw the country The sun was setting just right, and I seen towers of monsters in a row as far as I could see. I probably have crossed paths with these towers, maybe even just miles away. But tonight the sky illuminated them in my minds eye.

My current tripod setup.

 

Featuring:

DFocus: amzn.to/VIV90p

Carry Speed Viewfinder: amzn.to/VIVb8J

SmallHD Monitor: smallhd.com

 

Lucha VaVOOM headlines the ‘El Jimador Mexican Wrestling Bar' At Big Day Out 2013; Sydney, Australia

 

Red hot extreme Lucha Libre pro wrestling and more is what Sydney got at today's Big Day Out in heatwave continues.

 

The action and lucha heat matched the heatwave conditions.

 

Sadly, not many lucha wrestling masks were sold (they don't feel so good at the best of times, let alone in the heat), but drink sales were at fever pitch, as was crowd participation, with even a couple of fans having an impromptu "match" before official bell time. Interestingly, the Lucha promoter didn't seem to mind. There was also the good old Mexican wave done by what must have been about 500 fans, many of which also screamed out Ric Flair trademark "Wooooo"! calls (with and without wrestling chops to the chest).

 

The Lucha's will be in Australia for about a week, as part of Australia's Big Day Out festival touring Australia, and then they will work they was back to LA in the U.S of A.

 

The megastars of Los Angeles based Lucha VaVoom rumbled to fever pitch at the music festival and fans lapped up the mix of Mexican lucha libre wrestling, burlesque dancing and "post-punk vaudeville", as The Daily Telegraph called it.

 

Inspired by the Mexican pseudo sport whose champions are household names, the sequin and lycra-clad luchadores flip and fly in the wrestling ring in good (technicos) VS evil (rudos) matches. Headline stars such as Cassandro, Crazy Chicken, Dirty Sanchez and Chocolate Caliente are very good pro wrestlers, and heavily inspired by punk and cabaret, but the look of things.

 

Co-founder Rita D'Albert worked with rock bands for years before forming this unique act a decade ago.

 

"I think crazy Mexican wrestling is a pretty natural progression from rock'n'roll," she said. "It's theatrical, it's got energy and a lot of rock shows don't have that anymore."

 

Media Man and Wrestling News Media have seen a lot of pro wrestling in their day and were overheard "WWE might be generally more technical than Lucha VaVoom, but this LA Mexican troupe is all over them for extreme stuff - the kind that put the legendary and original ECW on the map. Judging by today, Lucha VaVoom looks to have a fantastic and extreme future in Australia. As WWE superstar Ryback would say, "Feed Me More". Oh, dream match we want to see - WWE's Rey Mysterio VS any of these guys. It will probly never happen, but we can dream.

 

Today lucha sports entertainment was certainly a dream come true for many Australian pro wrestling fans who like their pro wrestling more on the extreme, colourful and musical side. WrestleMania look out!

  

Press Release...

 

LUCHA VaVOOM TO HEADLINE THE ‘EL JIMADOR MEXICAN WRESTLING BAR’ AT BIG DAY OUT 2013...

 

LUCHA VAVOOM HEADED TO BIG DAY OUT 2013...

 

Direct from the US, the Lucha VaVOOM troupe will be putting on a show quite unlike any other at BIG DAY OUT 2013. Lucha VaVOOM is non-stop, action-packed surrealism where Mexican masked wrestlers perform breathtaking acrobatic feats in a fast-paced, fun-filled, character-driven style. Known for their far-out flamboyance, its quick, exhibition-style, one-fall Lucha Libre matches designed for maximum enjoyment and action.

 

The ultimate distraction, Lucha VaVOOM like a little sexo with their violencia; in between matches the finest handpicked burlesque acts from around the world wow the crowds with their unique striptease skills including raucous aerial acts, pogo-stick peelers and hula-hoop hotties. Their insane antics have Jack Black proclaiming “Lucha VaVOOM is the shit!” and it’s easy to see why.

 

Celebrating their tenth anniversary, Lucha VaVOOM have only got crazier over time. Rooted in history, they draw inspiration from the bizarre world of sixties Mexican Lucha Cinema. The troupe has been considered one of the most outrageous shows on earth having performed sold-out shows all around the world, they have taken to the stage alongside the likes of legends such as Jon Stewart and Dave Chappelle, as well as appearances on Jimmy Kimmel, Attack of the Show, Carson Daly and A Current Affair. Los Angeles Times said the Lucha VaVOOM show “has the pacing of a prison break” and BIG DAY OUT 2013 punters are set for something spectacular with the crew perform in a dedicated area. Here’s what the press have had to say:

 

“Lucha VaVOOM has a big future.” TIME MAGAZINE

 

“… It’s enough to make even the most jaded Hollywood insider jump up and yell ‘Smackdown.” ROLLING STONE

 

“…a raucous and irreverent extravaganza of burlesque, comedy and classic Mexican luchadore wrestling.” THE HUFFINGTON POST.

 

“Lucha VaVoom is the most exciting, bonkers show I’ve seen in ages.” THE FACE (UK)

 

“A madcap mix of Mexican wrestling, comedy, and vintage burlesque. I love, love, love it.” VANITY FAIR

 

“…a weird mix of cabaret, burlesque, Mexican Luchador wrestling with a live DJ, crowd interaction and commentary…depending on the night, people like Drew Carey turn up to do commentary for it. It is the most bizarre experience. The entire audience is dressed up and it’s like Halloween, everyone is in some weird costume. It was the greatest night of entertainment I have probably seen in my entire life.” ROVE MCMANUS

 

Lucha VaVOOM will be appearing at the El Jimador Mexican Wrestling Bar at all 2013 Big Day Out dates.

  

Mexican Masked Wrestling + Burlesque + Comedy = Lucha VaVOOM...

 

Lucha VaVOOM is a non-stop, action-packed scream-a-thon, where Mexican Masked wrestlers flip and fly, performing breathtaking acrobatic feats while battling evil luchadores. Historically speaking, Lucha VaVOOM brings the bizarre world of 60’s Mexican Lucha Cinema to life. Brave, masked wrestling crime fighters save the world from evil brains, vampires, the Bermuda Triangle etc; always with an obligatory stop at the local go-go club.

 

In-between matches, the finest, handpicked burlesque acts from around the world astound; at Lucha VaVOOM, we like a little sexo with our violencia. Raucous aerial acts, Pogo-stick peelers, hula-hoop hotties; we’ve got it all!

 

But wait there’s more! Our color commentary is handled by comedians Tom Kenny, Dana Gould and Blaine Capatch. Other guest commentators include Fred Armisen, Brian Poussein, Patton Oswalt, Greg Proops, Jeffrey Ross and Bobcat Goldthwait. Even Jack Black sat in, proclaiming “Lucha VaVOOM is the sh*t!

 

It all began in August 2003 as a one off event. The overwhelming crowd response convinced Rita & Liz to do it again, and as soon as possible.

 

Ever since, Lucha VaVOOM has played at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles three times a year -- Valentines Day, Mid-summer, and Halloween. From there, Lucha brought it’s circus to Toronto, where they did two nights at the Koolhaus and made every newspaper and TV news program, including Much Music.

 

In 2005, Lucha VaVOOM was asked to be a part of the first HBO Las Vegas Comedy Festival, where they performed alongside Jon Stewart, Lewis Black and Dave Chapelle. That same year they performed at the famous Sony E3 party at Dodger Stadium, where they took the spotlight away from the Pussycat Dolls.

 

Lucha VaVOOM has gone on to perform in Chicago, San Francisco and Amsterdam, with more cities on the way.

 

They’ve also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, CBS National News, G4's Attack of the Show, Channel X in Britain and A Current Affair just to name a few.

 

Websites

 

Big Day Out

www.bigdayout.com

 

Big Day Out - Lucha VaVOOM

www.bigdayout.com/mexican-wrestling-bar

 

Lucha VaVOOM official website

www.luchavavoom.com

 

Media Man Int

www.mediamanint.com

 

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr - Lucha VaVOOM

www.flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography/sets/72157632...

 

Wrestling News Media

www.wrestlingnewsmedia.com

Thought you'd like to see my current setup.

An uprated SkyWatcher HEQ5-Pro carries a SkyWatcher Quattro 8CF.

I use Seben Tripod Vibration Suppression Pads to stop the whole thing sinking into soft ground, car mats stop me getting too muddy.

Power supplied by both the car and a LiFePo4 12V 12VA battery. I keep the engine running all night so I don't freeze to death.

Polar alignment courtesy of the QHYCCD Polemaster.

Focusing with a Bahtinov Mask.

Imaging normally done with a CentralDS Astro 60D, but here I'm trying out an ASI 290MC Cool.

Guiding with a Starlight Xpress SuperStar through a 50mm guidescope.

Laptop is the superb SCAN 3XS Graphite 13 running PHD2, with Backyard EOS or Firecapture.

The Château de Chenonceau is a French château spanning the river Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley.

 

The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l'Orme, and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570 to 1576 to designs by Jean Bullant.

 

An architectural mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance, Château de Chenonceau and its gardens are open to the public. Other than the Royal Palace of Versailles, it is the most visited château in France.

 

The château has been designated as a Monument historique since 1840 by the French Ministry of Culture. Today, Chenonceau is a major tourist attraction and in 2007 received around 800,000 visitors.

 

In the 13th century, the fief of Chenonceau belonged to the Marques family. The original château was torched in 1412 to punish the owner, Jean Marques, for an act of sedition. He rebuilt a château and fortified mill on the site in the 1430s. Jean Marques' indebted heir Pierre Marques found it necessary to sell.

 

Thomas Bohier, Chamberlain to King Charles VIII of France, purchased the castle from Pierre Marques in 1513 and demolished most of it (resulting in 2013 being considered the 500th anniversary of the castle: MDXIII–MMXIII), though its 15th-century keep was left standing. Bohier built an entirely new residence between 1515 and 1521. The work was overseen by his wife Katherine Briçonnet, who delighted in hosting French nobility, including King Francis I on two occasions.

 

In 1535 the château was seized from Bohier's son [fr] by King Francis I of France for unpaid debts to the Crown. After Francis' death in 1547, Henry II offered the château as a gift to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who became fervently attached to the château along the river.[8] In 1555 she commissioned Philibert de l'Orme to build the arched bridge joining the château to its opposite bank. Diane then oversaw the planting of extensive flower and vegetable gardens along with a variety of fruit trees. Set along the banks of the river, but buttressed from flooding by stone terraces, the exquisite gardens were laid out in four triangles.

 

Diane de Poitiers was the unquestioned mistress of the castle, but ownership remained with the crown until 1555 when years of delicate legal manoeuvres finally yielded possession to her.

 

After King Henry II died in 1559, his strong-willed widow and regent Catherine de' Medici forced Diane to exchange it for the Château Chaumont. Queen Catherine then made Chenonceau her own favourite residence, adding a new series of gardens.

 

As Regent of France, Catherine spent a fortune on the château and on spectacular nighttime parties. In 1560, the first-ever fireworks display seen in France took place during the celebrations marking the ascension to the throne of Catherine's son Francis II. The grand gallery, which extended along the existing bridge to cross the entire river, was dedicated in 1577. Catherine also added rooms between the chapel and the library on the east side of the corps de logis, as well as a service wing on the west side of the entry courtyard.

 

Catherine considered an even greater expansion of the château, shown in an engraving published by Jacques Androuet du Cerceau in the second (1579) volume of his book Les plus excellents bastiments de France. If this project had been executed, the current château would have been only a small portion of an enormous manor laid out "like pincers around the existing buildings."

 

On Catherine's death, in January 1589, the château went to her daughter-in-law, Louise of Lorraine, wife of King Henry III. Louise was at Chenonceau when she learned of her husband's assassination, in August 1589, and she fell into a state of depression. Louise spent the next 11 years, until her death in January 1601, wandering aimlessly along the château's corridors dressed in mourning clothes, amidst sombre black tapestries stitched with skulls and crossbones.

 

Henri IV obtained Chenonceau for his mistress Gabrielle d'Estrées by paying the debts of Catherine de' Medici, which had been inherited by Louise and were threatening to ruin her. In return, Louise left the château to her niece Françoise de Lorraine, at that time six years old and betrothed to the four-year-old César de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme, the natural son of Gabrielle d'Estrées and Henri IV. The château belonged to the Duc de Vendôme and his descendants for more than a hundred years. The Bourbons had little interest in the château, except for hunting. In 1650, Louis XIV was the last king of the ancien régime to visit.

 

The Château de Chenonceau was bought by the Duke of Bourbon in 1720. Little by little, he sold off all of the castle's contents. Many of the fine statues ended up at Versailles.

 

In 1733 the estate was sold for 130,000 livres to a wealthy squire named Claude Dupin. His wife, Louise Dupin, was the natural daughter of the financier Samuel Bernard and the actress Manon Dancourt, whose mother was also an actress who had joined the Comédie Française in 1684. Louise Dupin was "an intelligent, beautiful, and highly cultivated woman who had the theatre in her blood." Claude Dupin, a widower, had a son, Louis Claude, from his first wife Marie-Aurore de Saxe, who was the grandmother of George Sand (born Aurore Dupin).

 

Louise Dupin's literary salon at Chenonceau attracted such leaders of the Enlightenment as the writers Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Fontenelle, the naturalist Buffon, the playwright Marivaux, the philosopher Condillac, as well as the Marquise de Tencin and the Marquise du Deffand. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was Dupin's secretary and tutored her son. Rousseau, who worked on Émile at Chenonceau, wrote in his Confessions: "We played music there and staged comedies. I wrote a play in verse entitled Sylvie's Path, after the name of a path in the park along the Cher."

 

The widowed Louise Dupin saved the château from destruction during the French Revolution, preserving it from being destroyed by the Revolutionary Guard because "it was essential to travel and commerce, being the only bridge across the river for many miles."

 

In 1864 Marguerite Pelouze [fr ], a rich heiress, acquired the château. Around 1875 she commissioned the architect Félix Roguet to restore it. He almost completely renewed the interior and removed several of Catherine de' Medici's additions, including the rooms between the library and the chapel and her alterations to the north facade, among which were figures of Hercules, Pallas, Apollo, and Cybele that were moved to the park. With the money Marguerite spent on these projects and elaborate parties, her finances were depleted, and the château was seized and sold.

 

José-Emilio Terry, a Cuban millionaire, acquired Chenonceau from Madame Pelouze in 1891. Terry sold it in 1896 to a family member, Francisco Terry. In 1913, the château was acquired by Henri Menier, a member of the Menier family, famous for their chocolates, who still own it to this day.

 

During World War I Gaston Menier set up the gallery to be used as a hospital ward. During the Second World War, the château was bombed by the Germans in June 1940.[20] It was also a means of escaping from the Nazi-occupied zone on one side of the river Cher to the "free" zone on the opposite bank. Occupied by the Germans, the château was bombed by the Allies on 7 June 1944, when the chapel was hit and its windows destroyed.

 

In 1951, the Menier family entrusted the château's restoration to Bernard Voisin, who brought the dilapidated structure and the gardens (ravaged in the Cher flood in 1940) back to a reflection of its former glory.

 

Chenonceaux is a commune in the French department of Indre-et-Loire, and the region of Centre-Val de Loire, France.

 

It is situated in the valley of the river Cher, a tributary of the Loire, about 26 km (16 mi) east of Tours and on the right bank of the Cher.

 

The population of permanent residents hovers about 350, but there is a large influx of tourists during the summer months because the village adjoins the former royal Château de Chenonceau, one of the most popular tourist destinations in France. The château is distinctive in being built across the river. The village is also situated in Touraine-Chenonceaux wine-growing area, and bordered on its northern edge by the Forest of Amboise.

 

Name

The difference in spelling between the Château's name (Chenonceau) and the village (Chenonceaux) is attributed to Louise Dupin de Francueil, owner of the château during the French Revolution, who is said to have dropped the "x" at the end of its name to differentiate what was a symbol of royalty from the Republic. As a result of her good relations with the village, the Château was spared the iconoclastic damage suffered by many other monuments during the Revolution. Although no official sources have been found to support this claim, the Château has ever since been referred to and spelled as Chenonceau.

 

Mme Dupin hosted the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Chenonceau as tutor to her children, and among her descendants was the writer George Sand, born Aurore Dupin.

 

Philibert de l'Orme (pronounced [filibɛːʁ də lɔʁm]) (3-9 June 1514 – 8 January 1570) was a French architect and writer, and one of the great masters of French Renaissance architecture. His surname is also written De l'Orme, de L'Orme, or Delorme.

 

Biography

Early career

Philbert de l'Orme was born between 3 and 9 June 1514 in Lyon. His father was Jehan de L'Orme, a master mason and entrepreneur, who, in the 1530s, employed three hundred workers and built prestigious buildings for the elite of the city.[3] When Philibert was nineteen he departed Lyon for Italy, where he remained for three years, working on building projects for Pope Paul III. In Rome he was introduced to Cardinal Jean du Bellay, the Ambassador of King François I to the Vatican, who became his protector and client. Du Bellay was also the patron of his friend Francois Rabelais. In about 1540 de l'Orme moved to Paris, and was soon occupied with royal projects.

 

Royal architect of Henry II (1548-1559)

On April 3, 1548 he was a named architect of the King by Henry II. For a period of eleven years, he supervised all of the King's architectural projects, with the exception of changes to the Louvre, which were planned by another royal architect, Pierre Lescot. His major projects included the Château de St Maur-des-Fossés, the Château d'Anet, the Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley; the royal Château de Madrid in the Bois de Boulogne; the Château de Vincennes, and major modifications to the Palace of Fontainebleau.

 

He also made a reputation as a writer and theorist, and as an innovator in building techniques. He invented a new system for making the essential wooden frameworks for constructing stone buildings, called charpente à petits bois, which was quicker and less expensive than previous methods and used much less wood. He demonstrated it before the King in 1555, and put it to work in construction at the new royal Château de Montceaux and at the royal hunting lodge La Muette [fr] in the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

 

Out of favor - architectural theorist (1559-1563)

The death of Henry II of France on July 10, 1559 suddenly left him without a patron and at the mercy of rival architects who resented his success and his style. Two days later, on 10 July, he was dismissed from his official posts, and replaced by an Italian artist and architect, Francesco Primaticcio, whose work was much in fashion. He had joined a religious order, and decided to turn his attention to meditation, scholarship and writing. He made another trip to Rome to inspect the new works of Michelangelo. Beginning in 1565 wrote the first volume of a work on architectural theory, which was scientific and philosophical. It was published in 1567, and was followed by new editions after his death in 1576, 1626 and 1648.

 

Royal architect again (1563-1570)

Under Charles IX and Catherine de Medici, he returned to royal favor. He was employed on the enlargement of the Chateau of Saint Maur (1563) and, along with Jean Bullant, on additions to the Tuileries Palace (1564). He died in Paris in 1570, while this project was underway.

 

Reputation

In the 17th century, during the period of Louis XIV style that followed his death, his reputation suffered. The grand stairway that he built at the Tuileries Palace was demolished in 1664, as was his Château de Saint-Léger in 1668, to make way for classical structures. In 1683, he was denounced by François Blondel of the Royal Academy for his "villainous Gothic ornaments" and his "petty manner". Nonetheless, his two major theoretical works on construction and design continued to be important textbooks, and were regularly republished and read.

 

His reputation rose again in the 18th century, through the writings of Dezallier d'Argenville, who wrote in 1787 that he had "abandoned the Gothic covering in order to redress French architecture in the style Ancient Greece." D'Argenville wrote the first biography and catalog of works. Though few of his building survived to be studied carefully, later important academic works on de l'Orme were written in the 19th and 20th centuries by art historians including H. Clouzot and Anthony Blunt.

 

One of De l'Orme's primary accomplishments was to change the way architects trained and studied. He insisted that architects needed formal education in classical architecture, as well as in geometry and astronomy and the sciences, but also needed practical experience in construction. He himself was an accomplished scholar of ancient Greek and Roman architecture, as well as a humanist scholar. He argued that architects needed to be able to design and manage every aspect of the building, from the volumes to the lambris to adding up the cost, making detailed three-dimensional drawings of vaults, judging if wood was dry enough, and knowing to stop digging the foundation when the first sand was encountered. He had scorn for those architects who could design a facade but had no knowledge actual construction. His opponents scorned him for his background as the son of a masonry contractor. He was referred to by Bernard Palissy as "The god of the stone masons", which deeply offended him.

 

His other major accomplishment was to resist the tendency to simply copy Italian architectural styles; he traveled and studied in Italy, and borrowed much, but he always added a distinctly French look to each of his projects.

 

The first major building of de l'Orme was the Château of Saint Maur (1541), built for the Cardinal Jean du Bellay, whom de l'Orme had met during his time in Rome. Its plan showed the influence of the Italian villas; and, like the Italian buildings, it was decorated with frescoes.

 

Much of his work has disappeared, but his fame remains. He was an ardent humanist and student of the antique, he yet vindicated resolutely the French tradition in opposition to Italian tendencies; he was a man of independent mind and a vigorous originality. His masterpiece was the Château d'Anet (1552–1559), built for Diane de Poitiers, the plans of which are preserved in Jacques Androuet du Cerceau's Plus excellens bastimens de France, though only part of the building remains. His designs for the Tuileries (also given by Androuet du Cerceau), begun by Catherine de' Medici in 1565, were magnificent. His work is also seen at Chenonceau and other famous châteaux; and his tomb of Francis I at Saint Denis Basilica remains a perfect specimen of his art.

 

The most easily viewed work of de l'Orme in Paris is the court facade of the Chateau d'Anet, which was moved to Paris after a major portion of the chateau was demolished, to illustrate for students the major works of the French Renaissance. It is attached to the front wall of the chapel of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, and is visible from Rue Bonaparte.

 

Partial list of works

Château de Saint-Maur (1541), demolished in 1796

Tomb of François Ie in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, Paris (1547)

Château d'Anet (1547-1555), built for Diane de Poitiers. Only one wing remains.

Plans of the Chapel of Saint-Éloi, Paris (1550-1566), (Long attributed, but not documented. Only a portion of the facade remains)

Attribution du château d'Acquigny

Facade of the residence of the Vicomte of the Duchy of Uzès (attributed)

Completion of Sainte-Chapelle at the Château de Vincennes (1552)

Château de Villers-Cotterêts, southern portion( 1547-1559)

Chapel of the Château of Villers-Cotterêts (1552-1553)

Royal Château of Saint-Léger-en-Yvelines (demolished)

Château de Meudon (attributed)

Château de Montceaux

Château de Thoiry (1560s)

The bridge upon which the Château de Chenonceau is constructed

Portions of the Louvre

Portions of the new Chateau of Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Portal of Château d'Écouen, now the National Museum of the French Renaissance (mid 16th century). The wing he designed was destroyed in 1787, but vestiges are displayed inside the Chateau.

Roofs of the towers of the Château de Bonnemare.

c/n 712192.

Built 1976.

This genuine Falklands veteran is currently suspended in ‘AirSpace’ at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, UK.

26th January 2018.

 

The following detailed service history for XZ133 is from the IWM website:-

 

Service dates:

8 July 76 - April 82 served with 233 OCU but with some time at A.D.A and Belize.

19 April 82 - 12 Aug 83 with No.1 Squadron at Wittering including Falklands War service (see below)

12 Aug 83 - 30 Aug 83 with No.3 Squadron at Gutersloh

30 Aug 83 - April 86 back with No.1 Squadron at Wittering

18 April 86 - 14 May 86 with Nos.3 and 4 Squadron at Gutersloh

29 May 86 - Dec 88 back with No.1 Squadron

16 Dec 88 with No.4 Squadron at Gutersloh

 

“Served with No.1 (Fighter) Squadron of the RAF in the Falklands War, 1982. It flew at least nine sorties between 2 & 14 June 1982, operating from HMS Hermes & the temporary forward airstrip at Port San Carlos. It carried out attacks with 1000 lb bombs, cluster bombs & rockets against Argentine positions near Stanley, on Mounts Harriet, Longdon & Tumbledown & on Sapper Hill. On 11 June, over Mount Longdon, an Argentine surface-to-air missile exploded only 100ft above its cockpit.

 

Details: On 29.03.82 it was with 233OCU coded P at Wittering, transferring to 1(F) Sqn during April 82. This may account for the lack of a name under the starboard windscreen. It was flown from Wittering to St Mawgan on 28.05.82 and from there directly to Wideawake, Ascension, on 29.05.82*. 01.06.82 - XZ133/10 was flown by Flt Lt Murdo MacLeod from Wideawake direct to Hermes. For this flight it was fitted with an IFR probe, 2x 100gal tanks on the outer pylons and 2x 330 gal ferry tanks on the inboard pylons. The starboard gun pod was fitted with the Blue Eric ECM fit. The large ferry tanks were jettisoned prior to landing on Hermes, the 100 gal tanks being retained for ops. (* This "ferry" configuration was also used for the flight from the UK to Ascension.) XV778/16 flown by Flt Lt Mike Beech accompanied XZ133 on this epic 8h 20mins flight, with IFR support from 4 Victors. The RFA Engadine was the only diversion en route, at roughly half distance; other than that, SAR was not an option! 02.06.82 - Sqn Ldr Jerry Pook in XZ989/07 and Flt Lt Murdo MacLeod in XZ133 supported ground forces in a 45 min sortie armed with the RN's 2" rocket pods. 06.06.82 - Sqn Ldr Jerry Pook in XZ989/07 and Flt Lt Murdo MacLeod in XZ133 departed Hermes some 240 miles east of Port Stanley at 1200Z to position to the Forward Operating Base at Port San Carlos. They carried out further attacks in the Stanley area and a recon mission looking for ground launched Exocets. 11.06.82 - Sqn Ldr Pook in XV789/32 and Flt Lt Mike Beech in XZ133 attacked positions on Mt Harriet c.1450Z.”

Currently on loan to First Scotland East, this former McColls Dennis Dart is captured in Glasgow whilst on training duties out of Livingston Depot.

Currently with the local Volvo specialist near Leeds. What I didn't realise when I took this, is that I've photographed this one before - at a show in Cheshire 13 years ago!

I set up the train a little more elongated than usual.

"Shespou Khme Rft'berkout Ansekou"

 

Perhaps the most ambitious military project in Osirian history, the Sphinx III main battle tank was developed both in response to the traumatic extraterrestrial demonic invasion of 1981 as well as the arrival of third generation tanks around the globe. The demons landed near Osirion first and wreaked considerable havoc before the devastation was stemmed. While in the end, Osirion came out more intact than any other nation thanks to its arcane arsenal, the supernatural superweapons of the ancestors bear little to no fruit whatsoever against conventional targets of mortal terrestrial origin. As decreed by Pharaoh to his Army staff, a balancing must be done for Ma'at.

 

Combining the ludicrously complex technology from the Pharaoh's personal Falconzord mecha with the traditional mechanical progenity of the Sphinx series of tanks proved a truly monumental challenge indeed for the Royal Armor Guild working at the Khetm Msha Amnet ("Army Secret Fort"). They had made a breakthrough and finally completed a functioning prototype vehicle when disaster struck. The Kingdom of Osirion, still recovering from the cataclysm, was invaded and occupied by the YSSR.

 

Moving literally underground to the vast labyrinths of secret bases, tombs, and lost cities, engineers went into overtime perfecting their ultimate creation. By the time the first combat-ready model erupted from the sands, the enemy had already begun its withdrawal in the face of Agrumite aggression. Alas, a mere couple units were able to conduct brief fields tests alongside their Furry counterparts during their last counteroffensive. With a taller profile than most of its contemporaries, the Sphinx found itself making good use of cover from enemy fire. With its massive diesel electric engine-generator set, the Sphinx can redeploy from positions with speed to match those in its class. From the tight corners of city streets to the tallest sand dunes and even remote jungles, nothing is an obstacle to its fully articulated forward drive frame. The crew is situated together in a single fighting compartment, encapsulated the turret ring as the front hull section pivots with each hard maneuver. Friendly forces found it a good source of reconnaissance due to its unique stature and advanced optics. The gaze of the legendary chimera pierces all spectrums; thermal, nightvision, ultraviolet, and even ultra-dimensional . A powerful 130mm main cannon was found to easily annihilate most any prey, and that which did not fall to its ravenous bite met the raking fire of its machine guns or the raking of its massive tungsten carbide frontal claws. When faced with adverse terrain unsuitable for any other sort of conventional armored vehicle, the beast awed those who bore witness to the awesome might of its hydraulic actuated suspension and vertical locomotion. It is said when it first stood upright upon the field, the earth shook with the trembling of its foes. Lastly, upon mopping up the field after the action, the Sphinx spurred looks of incredulity with its radical TAIL system (Tactical Accessory Item Lengthener). A massive cable protruding from the engine block is connected to the drive shaft. When put into gear, the device can either rapidly rotate or sweep side to side. A wide variety of mission specific attachments are available for the endpiece including mine flails, tow hooks, chaff dispensers, flares, satchel charge slings, demolition balls, excavation scoops, and many more useful tools.

 

Despite propagandist claims to the contrary, this supremely outlandish vehicle is not without its flaws and hindrances. Military analysts believe the Sphinx III to be arguably the largest tank ever built to date, and perhaps the heaviest. Although its walking ability allows it ford shallow rivers and streams, its mass and width are far too great for many bridges, underpasses, tunnels, and other infrastructure elements to bear. Forget about transporting it by any means other than ship or heavy landing craft. A ridiculously complex machine with unique and rare parts, crews are constantly found maintaining its vast array of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems. In addition to its rabid fuel consumption, a healthy supply of hydraulic fluid, lubricant oil, and industrial coolant is necessary to maintain the proper functioning of the monstrosity. While adequately spacious and equipped with an onboard brewing vessel, bread machine, and entertainment deck, the constant moving and shifting of various parts of the vehicle in addition to vibrations, decibels and fumes from the diesel prime mover are known to make some operators uncomfortable to the point of nausea. While access in and out of the fighting compartment is made relatively simple with the inclusion of large armored hatches just below the turret, access to the engineering section of the vehicle from the front drive section is only made possible through small hatches that may or may not be lined up appropriately when the vehicle is maneuvering.

 

A massive burden was lifted from the guild's star design team with the dark shroud of royal secrecy was finally removed from the country's greatest mechanical achievement since the hovercraft. The first Osirian Army Sphinx III Main Battle Tank rolled out of the guild shop to festival-like fanfare on April 10th, 1990, in a promotional color scheme mirroring that of the Great Sphinx of Giza itself in its currently restored form. While the Army's Administration of Procurement can only buy so many units at a time as the funding comes in, production continues at a furious pace as a thoroughly enamored Pharaoh Khemetmose III demands the mythical mech be the ancient nation's first line of defense against any future aggression, whether it be from beyond the cosmic plane or from a mortal enemy here on this world.

 

As it was five thousand years ago, as it is now, the Hor-Em-Akhet, Horus in the Horizon, stands guard over the Two Lands, his eternal gaze like Sakhmet's fire upon wicked undoers of Ma'at. Let those who fear time fear the Sphinx. Let those who test its power answer its challenge. "What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?" It is Khepri, it is Amun, and it is Atum, all combined in the heavens as Re-Horakhty smiles upon his living creation in the Eternal Kingdom, Osirion, Land of the Pharaohs.

30 by 24 acrylic on gallery canvas

Why yes, I am balanced on top of two wine bottles! And that's *after* testing some of the product. Safety first, though - there's a chair-back on either side for getting into position.

 

This wine is my current favorite red - $6 at Trader Joe's! And just in case you get blind drunk, the name is on the label in Braille as well.

 

Lighting: A flagged SB-600 camera left, an SB-800 through a Lumiquest softbox and a white screen camera right, a silver reflector camera left, and pointed at the background is an SB-900 with gel strips in yellow, orange, and red.

 

263/365

Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, founded in 1868, is one of the oldest churches in Chicago. The church was designed by Patrick Keely, who also designed Holy Name Cathedral. The original church was located in the J. McPherson Livery Stables at S. Halsted and W. Egan (now 39th) streets. The new parish was appropriately named "Nativity Church." It was dedicated on April 5, 1868.The parish later acquired 15 lots at W. 37th Street and S. Dashiel (now Union) Avenue to construct the present church. The cornerstone was laid in 1876, but it was not until almost three years later that the lower church hall was finished sufficiently to hold services. Finally, on December 5, 1885, the building was dedicated Nativity of Our Lord Church. Church records indicate that the current windows were installed in 1907. The 168 historic windows were restored to their original grandeur in 2010 and 2011, as the final phase of a five-year parish improvement process. The Daley family were prominent members of the congregation.

 

As part of the Archdiocese’s consolidation, the parishes of St. Gabriel Catholic Church at S. Lowe Avenue and W. 45th Street and Nativity of Our Lord merged, effective July 2019.

 

Steaming away through the colliery sidings at Beamish Museum is 1891-built Manning Wardle & Co. Ltd. (Leeds, UK) 'L' Class 0-6-0ST No.1210 "Sir Berkeley". According to the works plate on the side of the locomotive, it was rebuilt by Manning Wardle in 1909.

 

The shunter was withdrawn from service in 1963 and placed into preservation. It is currently owned by the Vintage Carriages Trust and based at the Middleton Railway (Leeds, UK).

 

The engine was at Beamish for the Steam Gala event of April 2024.

 

Copyright © 2024 Terry Pinnegar Photography. All Rights Reserved.

THIS IMAGE IS NOT TO BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL GAIN WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION!

"ROB SIMS presents KellyMBentley.Com in 2008! "

 

Female

26 years old

ATLANTA, Georgia

United States

   

Last Login: 4/13/2008

 

I love models and everything to do with the glamour industry. I am seriously into photography. I love to dance and I am currently learning to sing. I am crazy in love with my American Pitt Bull Terrier "Layla" and I love spending time with her playing freesbee with her and my loving fiance Django. I love fast cars preferrably American Muscle. My favorite would be a Trans Am. Long live Cassondra

 

Music I love all types of music, but my favorite is Classic Rock including the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Doors, Def Lepard, AC/DC, Primus, Nine Inch Nail all kinds of artists. I love dancing to hip-hop, but I really don't have any favorites.

 

Movies I love chic flicks and cartoons. I've never really been a fan of horror flicks. My favs include Notebook, Ratatouille, Sweet Home Alabama, Youve Got Mail...you get where this is going.

  

Television I love reality shows. I was on the Coyote Ugly Reality Show but I hated it. My favorites shows include Pussycat dolls, ANTM, Ghost Hunters, Dirty Jobs, Rock of Love, Make me a Supermodel....well all of them except American Idol...hate that shit!!

  

Books I dont read anything but war books and Cosmopolitian magazine. Oh yea and the Bible of course.

Heroes All of our American Military men and women especially those close to me....Andrew Goldman, Jason Edmondson, Chris Willis, and my sweet uncle Kurt. Love and appreciate you guys. If you have a friend or relative serving I send me their name and I will post it here to show my appreciation.

  

The Kelly M. Bentley 's Details

 

Status: In a Relationship

Here for: Networking, Friends

Orientation: Straight

Hometown: Alabama

Body type: Slim / Slender

Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Smoke / Drink: No / No

Education: College graduate

Occupation: Model

  

The Kelly M. Bentley 's Schools

Southern Union State Community College

Wadley, AL

Graduated: 2002

Student status: Alumni

Degree: Associate's Degree

Major: Computer Science

  

2000 to 2002

  

The Kelly M. Bentley 's Companies

NOPI Motorsports

Atlanta, Georgia US

Nopi Chic

Model

 

Construction Cuties

Atlanta, Georgia US

   

M Bentley Productions

Atlanta, Georgia US

  

The Kelly M. Bentley is Taking Over the F*cking World!

   

The Kelly M. Bentley 's Latest Blog Entry [Subscribe to this Blog]

  

Rob Sims and Kelly Bentley 2008 (view more)

  

RIDE FOR LIFE.....Relay For Life Charity Event (view more)

  

Coyote Ugly Episode 5...Thank God its Over! (view more)

  

National Glamour Showcase Florida (view more)

  

Coyote Ugly Episode 4 (view more)

  

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The Kelly M. Bentley 's Blurbs

About me:

Its hard to describe myself because I am constantly changing. So to start, above all else, I am a bad ass bartender. I bartend at OPERA Nightclub here in Atlanta, Geogia. Its the biggest and hottest club in Atlanta. I also bartend at the Irish Bred Carrollton where I can fulfill my bar dancing passion to AC/DC, Buckcherry (Crazy biotch!), and Def Lepard. I love serving up cocktails with a little sassy shake some come by either place and check me out!!

  

Second, I am a model and one of the hottest female entrepreneurs on this planet. In modeling, I specialize in glamour, fitness, and promotional modeling. I always have something going on somewhere. I'm partnering up with NOPI as a NOPI CHIC for 2008. I love doing charity work so keep updated on my events and help us out. As an entrepreneur, I own half of a calendar production company with JM Polsfuss that is responsible for the hottest calendar coming out in 2009 Construction Cuties. Watch for it!! I also just teamed up with get this...yes...The Rob Sims....which we will have my website launched by the end of Spring to help heat up the summer for you. Also watch for all the magazine covers, layouts, spreads, etc. coming soon...I told you guys I'll be taking over the WORLD!! Lastly, I am a regular girl that had a dream and am still forcing it to come true come hell or high water. I'm from a small town, but I'm working hard to fulfill my big city dreams as well as those of other girls who want to be models with MODELICIOUS. So if you want to try modeling, don't listen to people when they tell you that you cant do it, they said I couldn't, and I look at me...so don't listen, contact me and lets see what we can do. I DONT DO ANYTHING FOR FREE....so don't ask. I have a small network of professional models I use and promote because they have become friends. Don't ask for my contacts, because I work hard in promoting and networking myself so why should I just hand over my hard work to you. If you want my network, you pay for my network.

 

THINGS YOU WOULDN'T GUESS ABOUT ME: No one would ever guess that I used to be in the Army National Guard. I used to be on Active Reserve as the RA for SFC Robert Cornett. I got out in 2005. I also used to wiegh 170 lbs. I gained a huge amount of weight when I quit drinking and smoking. Yea a lot of you thought it would never happen. I quit cold turkey and the turkey went to my ass. I lost 50 lbs. on the Subway diet. I was recently on the Coyote Ugly Reality Show on CMT and hated every minute. I also have a degree in Political Science and Computer Science with a minor in Military Science. Just some cool quirks about me.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey

Name: Kelly M Bentley

Birthday: October 7th

Birthplace: Anniston, Alabama

Current Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Eye Color: Green

Hair Color: Blonde/Brunette..hell I don't know

Height: 5'5" if I'd stand up straight

Right Handed or Left Handed: Right

Your Heritage: Irish/German

&..39;The Shoes You Wore Today:' My beloved flip flops

Your Weakness:

Your Fears: airplanes, elevators, and scurrying vermon

Your Perfect Pizza: cheese/pepperoni without any sauce

Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Be at 8% Body Fat by the end of the year

Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: I dont even know how to set that shit up...

Thoughts First Waking Up: What in the hell are the Backyardigans?

Your Best Physical Feature: My big ghetto booty

Your Bedtime: When ever my mind decides to quit thinking

Your Most Missed Memory: No clue..too much memory lost

Pepsi or Coke: Caffeine free coke

MacDonalds or Burger King: both are some nasty shit...I dont put it in my body!

Single or Group Dates: Cant remember my last date...

Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: I don't drink any tea

Chocolate or Vanilla: Just hand over the chocolate and no one gets hurt

Cappuccino or Coffee: Caffeine free Coffee

Do you Smoke: hell no

Do you Swear: I swear I cuss too much

Do you Sing: Did you catch my show? Think I'll stick to the shower.

Do you Shower Daily: more than once

Have you Been in Love: Only twice for sure

Do you want to go to College: Been there done that

Do you want to get Married: Umm....when I'm too old to know better

Do you belive in yourself: more than anyother person besides Roy

Do you get Motion Sickness:

Do you think you are Attractive: No but others tend to disagree

Are you a Health Freak: Absolutely

Do you get along with your Parents: depends on the day of the week

Do you like Thunderstorms: love them

Do you play an Instrument:

In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: don't drink alcohol

In the past month have you Smoked: I quit when I was 20

In the past month have you been on Drugs: hell no drugs are for weak people

In the past month have you gone on a Date: I havent gone on a date in the past few years

In the past month have you gone to a Mall: No..I hate the mall..I'm in need of another personal shopper

In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: yea right...my trainer would shoot me

In the past month have you eaten Sushi: I don't eat fish

In the past month have you been on Stage: too many times

In the past month have you been Dumped: No

In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: I wish

In the past month have you Stolen Anything: No but someone stole two of my damned portfolios

Ever been Drunk: Plastered on many occassions

Ever been called a Tease: What girl hasnt

Ever been Beaten up: No but I got launched off some steps one time

Ever Shoplifted: no I only steal hearts

How do you want to Die: at 200mph on the Autobahn

What do you want to be when you Grow Up: I'm doing it but not grown up yet

What country would you most like to Visit: Ireland

In a Boy/Girl..

Favourite Eye Color: Any that don't lie

Favourite Hair Color: any that I can run my fingers through

Short or Long Hair: either

Height: all heights

Weight: weight doesn't matter

Best Clothing Style: clothes dont make the man

Number of Drugs I have taken: Don't do drugs

Number of CDs I own: not too many

Number of Piercings: ears and belly button

Number of Tattoos: 1

Number of things in my Past I Regret: only 1...if you know me you know what it is

 

CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

  

Myspace Layouts - Myspace Editor - Image Hosting

 

Who I'd like to meet:

TO ALL MODELS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS: Now that I am partnered up with Robs Sims who is the most published photographer on the planet also owner of FitBeauties and FitModels International Magazines, photographer for Oxygen, MuscleMag, InStyle, American Curves, Maxim, FHM, Mens Health...okay I'm tired already. Too many to list. Google him for the rest...lol. Rob and I will be offering photoshoots to ambitious models with the guarantee to be published. Yes there is a catch. 1)like I said I don't do anything for FREE 2) Neither does he 3) you have to be approved by me first. Sorry ladies...I have to be picky. Feel free to submit to me for shoots with Rob. I will be honest and give you feedback. WE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN GUARANTEE YOU PUBLICATION IN MAJOR MAGAZINES.

   

Well it's March so whoop de doo 😂 currently still feels like January so no sign of Spring just yet unfortunately. I was torn about what photo to go with for the first of usual monthly check-ins, as although I love this dress (which I'd had my eye on for a while) I took some real nice ones last weekend in something else, which I likely prefer. Anyway those can be seen over on my Instagram account (plus loads of other stuff not posted on here) along with more of this particular outfit too. I'm also far more active over there (and a little bit more responsive to messages too) as other than the odd post I'm not really around much on here.

 

Roll on summer!

HSS STENA EXPLORER arriving at Dún Laoghaire on a sailing from Holyhead on June 23, 2007.

 

Click here for more photographs of HSS STENA EXPLORER: www.jhluxton.com/Shipping/Shipping-Companies-Short-Sea-Fe...

  

HSS STENA EXPLORER (later ONE WORLD KARADENIZ and currently KARADENIZ LIFESHIP) operated on Stena Line's Holyhead–Dún Laoghaire service between Wales and Ireland until 2014.

 

In 2015 the ship was was sold to Karadeniz Holding to be used as a floating office, research space and alternative power generator in Karmarine shipyard in Yalova near Istanbul, Turkey,

 

Stena Explorer was constructed by Finnyards in Rauma, Finland, at a cost £65 million. Construction commenced in June 1994 and was completed in February 1996, before entering service in April 1996.

 

The vessel is a catamaran, and was designed with the aim of providing a comfortable and fast service. The sailing time between Holyhead and Dún Laoghaire was 99 minutes.

 

Power is provided by four GE Aviation gas turbines driving four KaMeWa waterjets for propulsion.

 

The HSS class of ferries were designed to allow quick turnarounds at port. A specially designed linkspan provides ropeless mooring and allows quick loading, unloading and servicing. Vehicles are loaded via two of the four stern doors and park in a "U" configuration. When disembarking, vehicles drive straight off via the other two doors.

HSS STENA EXPLORER spent the majority of her career sailing on her original route between Holyhead and Dún Laoghaire.

 

Due to increasing world price of oil the Stena HSS had her crossing time extended to around 119 minutes in a bid to trim her fuel bill. Over the years, the Stena HSS' timetable has gradually been reduced from an initial five round-trips a day, down to just one round-trip a day.

 

Stena Line replaced the vessel with STENA LYNX III, which ran twice daily from 15 March 2010 to the end of 2010 apart from May to September, when Stena Explorer operated the route once daily to relieve the Stena Lynx so she could run on the Fishguard – Rosslare route.

 

On 26 May 2010, Stena Line re-instated HSS STENA EXPLORER back on the Holyhead – Dún Laoghaire route one month earlier than planned.

 

On 14 September 2010, HSS STENA EXPLORER left the Holyhead – Dún Laoghaire route with her last 2010 sailing being the 13:15 departure from Dún Laoghaire. Stena Lynx III operated the route until Sunday 9 January 2011. STENA EXPLORER returned on 1 April 2011 and will operate the route until 13 September 2011 on a one sailing a day basis.

 

Between 9–22 June 2011, HSS STENA EXPLORER operated two round trips a day, due STENA ADVENTURER, which operated on Stena Lines' Holyhead – Dublin service receiving her annual refit.

 

On 4 February 2015, Stena Line announced that the HSS service to Dún Laoghaire was to be withdrawn and not restarted for 2015 with HSS STENA EXPLORER being withdrawn from service.

 

All services from Holyhead would be concentrated on Dublin Port, served by both Stena Line and Irish Ferries.

 

On 1 November 2015, she departed on tow from Holyhead and arrived in Turkey on 17 November.

 

Renamed ONE WORLD KARADENIZ she was in Karmarine shipyard in Yalova, near Istanbul, Turkey.

 

The owner, Karadeniz Holding, had converted it into an "earthquake-resistant" floating office, research space and alternative power generator for the community of Istanbul. It is part of Karadeniz' Powerships project.

 

In 2024 renamed KARADDENIZ LIFESHIP the vessel has been providing refuge for those made homeless in the 2023 Turkish earthquake.

An unusual way to see the sights in and around Windsor is by Windsor Duck Tours who currently use a 26-seat GM DUKW Seahorse Amphibious 'bus' to operate their 'Swan - River Splash Tours' and 'Mallard - Road & River Splash Tours'. The vehicle dates from 2010 and is registered Q46PDV. The unusual machine is seen in Windsor in June 2014.

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